Vaccine News & Notes — December 2018

Different vaccine recommendations and what they mean (VIDEO)

Just because a vaccine is licensed does not mean it is routinely recommended for all eligible recipients. In fact, recommendations can vary for different vaccines and demographics. Watch this new video in which Dr. Offit explains the different types of recommendations, using the meningococcal B vaccine as an example.

The journey of a child’s vaccine

If you have ever wondered how vaccines are made, you will be interested in a new video released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The five-minute video for parents chronicles the journey of a vaccine from development through use by consumers. The vaccine-development journey is longer than many are aware as it includes several phases of clinical trials, licensure, manufacturing, recommendation, and monitoring after the public begins to use it. Each of these steps involves many different scientists and experts reviewing the vaccine to make sure it works and is safe.

Introducing Vaccinate Your Family: The Next Generation of Every Child by Two (VYF)

Every Child By Two is a vaccine advocacy group started in 1991 by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and former First Lady of Arkansas Betty Bumpers to educate and advocate about the importance of timely immunizations by age 2. Recently, the organization changed its name to Vaccinate Your Family: The Next Generation of Every Child By Two (VYF to signify the organization’s commitment to protecting people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases). Check out their popular Shot of Prevention blog which also got a makeover to reflect the changes.

“Vaccines did not cause Rachel’s autism”

Peter Hotez has a daughter named Rachel. Rachel is autistic. Hotez recently published Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel’s Autism. What makes Hotez’s book unique is that he is also a pediatrician and vaccinologist. His personal experience with this disease coupled with his professional expertise makes him uniquely qualified and interested in the debate around vaccines and autism. Recently, Dr. Hotez was a guest on the Voices for Vaccines podcast Vax Talk to discuss his book, his daughter, why vaccines cannot cause autism, and the anti-vaccine movement. Check out the podcast today.