Trouble getting vaccines? You can report it here!
Vaccinate Your Family (VYF) recently launched a new website at ViralTruths.org. The new site offers the public a way to report issues they’re having accessing vaccines. In addition, the new online space also provides a weekly update on vaccine policy developments and information about common vaccine-related questions.
Taking charge of pain (including, but not only, from shots!)
We once heard a story of a little boy whose aunt is an infectious diseases pediatrician. She had discussed vaccines with her nephew and agreed to accompany him to his upcoming vaccine visit. When he returned to the waiting room after getting his vaccines, he looked at her, pumped his arms up into the air and with a big smile shouted, “I’m immune!”
This story demonstrates something frontline healthcare providers have witnessed for years: Children take their cues from us, so if we are anxious about our child’s vaccinations, they tend to be as well. For this reason, the Vaccine Education Center (VEC) offers information for parents about how to prepare themselves and their children for upcoming vaccine appointments.
Recently, we learned about an excellent resource from experts in pain management — the Meg Foundation. This non-profit organization is devoted to helping people overcome anxiety related to pain, with a particular focus on children because as they describe, “The research is clear that early pain experiences carry lifelong consequences.” What a great thing to be able to provide for our children — knowledge and resilience when it comes to managing pain.
Check out the Meg Foundation website and resources today.
Rabies is on the rise in the U.S.
Rabies disease is almost uniformly fatal in untreated people once they develop symptoms. So far this year, the U.S. has had six people die from rabies. This is the most in a single year in recent history. For context, typically about two rabies deaths occur annually. Between 2015 and 2024, U.S. deaths from rabies totaled 17 people over the nine-year period, with two of those cases occurring in people after international travel.
In addition to the increased cases in people, 15 outbreaks among wildlife in 12 states have also been investigated this year. These outbreaks have been identified in raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes. The main reason for increased cases in people is the increasing proximity in which humans and animals are living. Unfortunately, public health officials and veterinarians are watching another concerning trend: vaccine safety concerns. Rabies vaccination of pets is required by law, but spillover of unfounded vaccine safety concerns is threatening to increase the human risk of rabies if dog owners stop vaccinating their pets.
Find out more:
Sorting out info about toxins
Dr. Jessica Steier and colleagues who write the Unbiased Science newsletter recently addressed several concerns circulating on social media. The article addressed hormone disruptors, sunscreens and skin cancer, and electromagnetic radiation (EMR). If you are wondering about some of those topics or other things you have been hearing about, check out this popular newsletter written by people with the experience and creds to be able to “sort the wheat from the chaff.”
It’s flu vaccination season. See Kaden’s story about why getting kids vaccinated matters.
Families Fighting Flu (FFF) is a group of people who have come together because they know that vaccine-preventable diseases, like influenza, can be life changing. Each year, they work to ensure that as many people as possible are protected against influenza.
This year, their efforts focus on Kaden Stevenson’s story of surviving influenza. The campaign, called “Kaden Blaze – Flu Fighter,” follows superhero Kaden as he fights against Flu Bug.
After learning about Kaden, we hope you will take a moment to make sure everyone in your family has had their flu vaccine this year, especially as the holidays approach. Two reminders:
- It takes two weeks after vaccination for immunity to develop.
- Last year was one of the worst influenza seasons in recent memory with 280 children dying from influenza. Most were unvaccinated.
Trouble getting vaccines? You can report it here!
Vaccinate Your Family (VYF) recently launched a new website at ViralTruths.org. The new site offers the public a way to report issues they’re having accessing vaccines. In addition, the new online space also provides a weekly update on vaccine policy developments and information about common vaccine-related questions.
Taking charge of pain (including, but not only, from shots!)
We once heard a story of a little boy whose aunt is an infectious diseases pediatrician. She had discussed vaccines with her nephew and agreed to accompany him to his upcoming vaccine visit. When he returned to the waiting room after getting his vaccines, he looked at her, pumped his arms up into the air and with a big smile shouted, “I’m immune!”
This story demonstrates something frontline healthcare providers have witnessed for years: Children take their cues from us, so if we are anxious about our child’s vaccinations, they tend to be as well. For this reason, the Vaccine Education Center (VEC) offers information for parents about how to prepare themselves and their children for upcoming vaccine appointments.
Recently, we learned about an excellent resource from experts in pain management — the Meg Foundation. This non-profit organization is devoted to helping people overcome anxiety related to pain, with a particular focus on children because as they describe, “The research is clear that early pain experiences carry lifelong consequences.” What a great thing to be able to provide for our children — knowledge and resilience when it comes to managing pain.
Check out the Meg Foundation website and resources today.
Rabies is on the rise in the U.S.
Rabies disease is almost uniformly fatal in untreated people once they develop symptoms. So far this year, the U.S. has had six people die from rabies. This is the most in a single year in recent history. For context, typically about two rabies deaths occur annually. Between 2015 and 2024, U.S. deaths from rabies totaled 17 people over the nine-year period, with two of those cases occurring in people after international travel.
In addition to the increased cases in people, 15 outbreaks among wildlife in 12 states have also been investigated this year. These outbreaks have been identified in raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes. The main reason for increased cases in people is the increasing proximity in which humans and animals are living. Unfortunately, public health officials and veterinarians are watching another concerning trend: vaccine safety concerns. Rabies vaccination of pets is required by law, but spillover of unfounded vaccine safety concerns is threatening to increase the human risk of rabies if dog owners stop vaccinating their pets.
Find out more:
Sorting out info about toxins
Dr. Jessica Steier and colleagues who write the Unbiased Science newsletter recently addressed several concerns circulating on social media. The article addressed hormone disruptors, sunscreens and skin cancer, and electromagnetic radiation (EMR). If you are wondering about some of those topics or other things you have been hearing about, check out this popular newsletter written by people with the experience and creds to be able to “sort the wheat from the chaff.”
It’s flu vaccination season. See Kaden’s story about why getting kids vaccinated matters.
Families Fighting Flu (FFF) is a group of people who have come together because they know that vaccine-preventable diseases, like influenza, can be life changing. Each year, they work to ensure that as many people as possible are protected against influenza.
This year, their efforts focus on Kaden Stevenson’s story of surviving influenza. The campaign, called “Kaden Blaze – Flu Fighter,” follows superhero Kaden as he fights against Flu Bug.
After learning about Kaden, we hope you will take a moment to make sure everyone in your family has had their flu vaccine this year, especially as the holidays approach. Two reminders:
- It takes two weeks after vaccination for immunity to develop.
- Last year was one of the worst influenza seasons in recent memory with 280 children dying from influenza. Most were unvaccinated.