All the things that keep us healthy.
On August 16, CDC published updated guidance on the use of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Adults (HPV vaccine): Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization. The recommendations now include the following updated information: • For children and adults age…
By: Kathleen Gaines BSN, RN, BA, CBC The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently declared a national emergency amidst ongoing Hepatitis A outbreaks. In August, Florida was the most recent state to join the growing list of states…
How Flu Spreads: Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person…
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is…
Vaccine Updates August 2019 Terms to Know: 1. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a group of medical and public health experts that develop recommendations on how to use vaccines. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)…
ACIP group unanimously voted to add the new hexavalent vaccine, Vaxelis –which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type B and was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Fall 2018 – to the…
Community immunity occurs when people are protected by those around them. This type of protection is indirect in that it does not involve physical components of immunity, such as antibodies, but rather results when a pathogen is less likely to…
Passive immunity, or immunity gained in a way other than from one’s own immune system, can occur in a few ways and can be life-saving. However, passive immunity is short-lived because the antibodies are not continually replenished as they would…
Every year, the World Health Organization lists its top threats to global health. Alongside usual suspects like air pollution, cancer and heart disease, a newcomer has joined the 2019 edition: vaccine hesitancy. The anti-vaccine movement has gained momentum in recent…
Details of situation: Five measles cases, four between the ages of 12 to 21 months, have been reported in three different counties within Southeast Texas. Vaccination remains the most effective method for preventing measles. Genotyping has revealed the cases were…