Vaccine News & Notes — November 2017

Catch-up immunization scheduler for parents

The CDC recently released an online immunization scheduler tool for parents to use for children ages birth through 18 years of age. After entering a child’s date of birth and vaccination history, the tool provides parents with a printable schedule to assist in catching up on missed vaccines or staying on schedule.

Flu can be costly in many ways

In addition to the physical toll caused by influenza, it also can take a financial toll. In fact, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, flu costs consumers $4.6 billion per year in lost wages and healthcare costs. This article from The Simple Dollar talks about the hidden costs of getting the flu, as well as offers tips on how to combat a flu infection in a cost-effective manner.

Fevers are not a symptom of infection; they are a response to it

In a recent column for The Daily Beast, Dr. Offit discussed the role of fevers during infection. The article also includes a discussion of the merits of avoiding intervention with fever-reducing medications and the potential effects these medications may have on our ability to recover from an illness.

How many kindergarteners in your state are immunized?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published data on kindergarten vaccination and exemption rates. Although the nationwide exemption rate remained low (2 percent), rates varied by state. Check out the report to see how your state ranked.