Vaccine News & Notes — July 2020
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Parents PACKHealthcare visits and vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic
While shutdowns contributed to flattening the curve and keeping ICUs from becoming overwhelmed, an unintended consequence has been a decrease in routine immunizations. So, as society reopens, some parents are wondering how to safely catch up on recommended vaccines. A new webpage was recently added to the Vaccine Education Center website to help everyone navigate both catching up on vaccinations and safely getting healthcare. Titled “COVID-19: Catching Up on Recommended Vaccines and Visiting Healthcare Providers,” the new page offers the following information:
- Tips for catching up on vaccines
- Additional vaccine considerations for particular age groups
- Steps providers may be taking to protect patients from exposure to COVID-19 during visits
- Tips for visiting provider offices during this time
Updated info about tetanus and pertussis
The Vaccine Education Center recently updated two popular Q&A sheets:
- Tetanus: What You Should Know — Provides information about how tetanus spreads, is treated, can be prevented and more.
- Pertussis: What You Should Know — Provides information about pertussis disease and vaccination, including the different versions of pertussis-containing vaccines (DTaP, Tdap and Td) and information on who should get the pertussis vaccine.
World Hepatitis Day — July 28
On July 28, 2020, public health advocates will celebrate World Hepatitis Day. Their goal is to remove barriers to testing for hepatitis, eliminate stigma, and spread knowledge about hepatitis and the health complications that can occur.
Millions of people infected with viral hepatitis don’t know they have it. In fact, it is estimated that about 9 of every 10 infected people are not aware that they are infected. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by viruses, alcohol, toxins, or autoimmune disorders. Five hepatitis viruses, named A, B, C, D and E, contribute to liver disease and damage. Hepatitis B and C are the most common causes of chronic liver disease, which can lead to liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Find out more about hepatitis A and hepatitis B from Vaccine Education Center materials:
- A Look at Each Vaccine: Hepatitis A Vaccine (webpage)
- A Look at Each Vaccine: Hepatitis B Vaccine (webpage)
- Hepatitis A: What You Should Know Q&A, English | Spanish (PDF)
- Hepatitis B: What You Should Know Q&A English | Spanish (PDF)
- Why Do Newborns Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine? (video)
- Information about hepatitis A and hepatitis B on Vaccines on the Go: What You Should Know (free mobile app)
COVID-19 resources
Although many states are reopening, the pandemic is not over. The virus that causes COVID-19 is still infecting people throughout the U.S. and in some other parts of the world. As such, it’s important for families to remain vigilant and practice social distancing measures to protect themselves and others, particularly when returning to work, school or camp and other activities.
Many resources are available to provide guidance about how to do this. Here are a few from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and others.
Protecting yourself and your family from the virus
- Stop the Spread of COVID-19 with These Six Easy Steps (CDC)
- Travel Considerations During COVID-19 (CDC)
- COVID-19 American Sign Language (ASL) video series (CDC)
- Talking to Kids About COVID-19 (CHOP)
Returning to activities as communities reopen
- Deciding to Go Out (CDC)
- Return to Youth Sports (CHOP)
- What To Do About Summer Camp (CHOP)
Avoiding scams
- Help COVID-19 Contact Tracers, Not Scammers (FTC)
- COVID-19-Related Phone Scams and Phishing Attacks (CDC)
- How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams (FTC)
- Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Advice for the Public: Myth Busters (WHO)
- Coronavirus Rumor Control (FEMA)
- Make Your Coronavirus Donations Count (FTC)
- Avoid Coronavirus Scams: What You Need to Know (Comparitech)
Visit ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams for the latest information on scams.
Visit coronavirus.gov for the latest information on COVID-19.
Categories: Parents PACK July 2020, Vaccine News & Notes
Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.
You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.