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Dr. Casey

August: National Immunization Awareness Month

Did you know that August has the distinction of “National Immunization Awareness Month” (NIAM) each year? You can think of it like October when you see a lot of pink everywhere as people work to raise awareness and education about breast cancer. Obviously, there are a lot of key issues out there that people should be more aware of and understand the importance of. Off the top of my head, I can think of dozens of cancers, chronic diseases (like heart disease and osteoporosis), dangers of tobacco, mental health, black history, women’s history, animal rights, and gun violence — all having dedicated awareness months. And a quick Google search turned up all kinds of things.

Did you know there is a Blood Clot Awareness Month (March)? As it happens, July is National Vehicle Theft Awareness Month, and on the island of Hawai’i, January is Volcano Awareness Month! I think it is fair to say that some of these awareness months are better known than others. But when you start searching for “August awareness month,” the topic that seems to dominate is immunization awareness, showing how important this issue is all across the U.S.

What is National Immunization Awareness Month?

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is observed every year in August in the U.S. The purpose of NIAM is to promote how important vaccination (immunization) is for people of all ages. The American Public Health Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasize that NIAM is an ideal opportunity to encourage others to talk to a healthcare provider about vaccinations and ensure they are up to date on the necessary vaccines.

What is new about NIAM in 2024?

NIAM might be at its most important in 2024, as public health and healthcare professionals work harder than ever to get accurate information out to the public and stop the flood of misinformation and disinformation that seems to be increasing daily. Doubt about vaccines continues to increase with these inaccuracies, and we have seen childhood vaccination rates decline in the U.S. As many children start back to school this month, we must do whatever we can to stop preventable diseases before they start and keep our children and communities safe and healthy. For NIAM 2024, we are working to stop the decline in childhood vaccinations and to get these rates back up.

Not Just for Kids

The mis- and disinformation about vaccines is not just directed towards childhood vaccines, unfortunately. Some people who promote inaccuracies about vaccines and are very passionate about it target vaccines that save lives among adults and elderly individuals by protecting them from infectious diseases. Vaccine hesitancy refers to a person delaying the acceptance or refusing to receive a safe vaccine even though it is available. In recent years, particularly post-COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen vaccine hesitancy skyrocket in groups of all types of people, frequently resulting in lower vaccination rates. Lower vaccination rates have led to higher rates of preventable, infectious diseases like flu, COVID, and even measles outbreaks. Higher rates of illness have meant more people missing school and work because they are sick, spending more money on health care services, less time spent engaging in socializing and entertainment activities, and in extreme cases, worse mental health outcomes and negative economic impacts. It is definitely a ripple effect. The importance of vaccination should be promoted for individuals of all ages as we work to dispel myths and inaccuracies about vaccinations and to reduce vaccine hesitancy.

Other Questions?

Vaccination has become a very polarizing and even political topic in the U.S., which is both unfortunate and…well, dangerous. Individuals must remember that viruses, diseases, death, etc., do not acknowledge party lines, social status or wealth. Vaccination is important for everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones and contribute to their communities’ safety and health. There is a lot of information out there about vaccines, and some of it is trustworthy; some of it is not. If I were bitten by a snake I could not identify, I probably would not just trust what I found on a Google search about whether it was venomous…even if I found a result that supported my “hunch.” If you are unsure, then do not take a chance with your (and others’) health. Talk to a healthcare provider or message an expert. Ask questions.

As always, message me anytime with questions or thoughts. Take initiative in your health and if you are unsure, then find the answers you seek. If I do not know them, I will find them for you. I am a resource in whatever way I can be, and it is a privilege to be one.

Be Well; Be Kind,

Dr. Casey

Want to Learn More?

The CDC has more information on NIAM as well as resources you can use to promote vaccines for all different age groups here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html

At the link above, you can also find short quizzes to help you determine which vaccines you need!

If you are looking for more information about vaccines and immunizations in general, this website from the CDC has a lot of helpful resources, including vaccine schedules, so you and your family can be sure you stay up to date on what vaccines you need as you get older. It also has links to vaccine recommendations for children and recommendations for adults: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html

Here is a great page that breaks down the basics of vaccines, including ingredients found in some vaccines, ones found in specific vaccines, and information for you and your family: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/basics/index.html

To read more about the decrease in childhood vaccinations in the U.S., check out this article: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7245a2.htm

Tips for Keeping Your Kids Healthy and Stopping the Spread of Infectious Diseases

As the back-to-school season begins, kids won’t just be bringing home new school supplies and homework — they’ll also be bringing home germs. Schools are inherently known for spreading illnesses, such as colds, flu, strep throat, norovirus, and even COVID-19, as everyone is in close quarters with each other.

A report from the Centres of Disease Control and Prevention showed that in 2022, around 3 million U.S. children, or 5.8% of those aged 5–17, were chronically absent from school due to health-related issues. These numbers are concerning because of its potential long-term impact on academic performance, school engagement, and the risk of school dropout. To reduce these risks, there are a few things parents and children can do to make sure they don’t miss out.

The Rise in COVID-19 and How to Avoid it

During this summer, the United States has seen a rise in COVID-19 cases, with infections expected to continue increasing as kids start to crowd their school hallways. The current dominant strains, KP.3 and KP.3.1.1, are known to be more contagious and better at evading vaccine-induced immunity than previous variants. If you feel sick or suspect you might have COVID-19, it’s important to stay home. However, being vaccinated can help you return to normal activities more quickly once your symptoms improve and you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without using medication.

Getting vaccinated and staying home when you’re sick is easier said than done, but it’s important for trying to mitigate the risk of this tricky virus. COVID-19 can spread without people even realizing it. A two-year study of over 160,000 households found that more than 70% of viral transmissions, including COVID-19, started with a child.It was also found that these pediatric transmissions dropped by 60% to 80% during school breaks, highlighting the significant role school attendance plays in the spread of the virus.

Vaccinations: A Key Line of Defense

As mentioned above, vaccinations are important to reducing the chance of getting and spreading diseases in school. Vaccines are able to reduce the transmission of illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 by 40% to 50%, and other childhood diseases like pneumococcal infections, chickenpox, and polio by even higher percentages.

There have been some growing concerns and doubts among some parents about the safety or efficacy of vaccines. If you’re on the fence about getting vaccinated, it’s important to seek out reliable information from trusted sources such as healthcare professionals and reputable health organizations. Discuss your concerns with your doctor, who can provide evidence-based answers and address any specific worries you might have. Educate yourself about the benefits of vaccination for your children’s health and those around you. Making an informed decision can help protect yourself and others from preventable diseases.

Good Hygiene Practices to Reduce the Spread of Illness

Vaccines are the number one way to help prevent the spread of illness, but there are other strategies to consider. The CDC issued guidelines earlier this year for preventing the spread of infectious diseases in schools, focusing on respiratory etiquette, hand-washing, and vaccination.

Coughing and Sneezing Etiquette: Proper coughing and sneezing hygiene is essential in reducing the transmission of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu. Try to encourage your children to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and to wash their hands immediately afterward. If a tissue isn’t close by, coughing or sneezing into the elbow is the next best option.

Hand-Washing: With classrooms full of high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, shared supplies, and sports equipment, proper hand-washing is very important for hygiene. It can prevent about 30% of diarrhea-related illnesses and 20% of respiratory infections.

When to Keep Kids Home from School

Even if you can push through, taking a day to recover can be the best choice. One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness in schools is to keep your children home when they’re sick. Not only do sick children risk infecting their classmates, but they can also spread illness to teachers and staff, which can cause even further disruptions to your child’s education.

These tips cannot be implemented overnight. It takes practice to reinforce healthy habits that can reduce illness. Other things, such as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and regular physical activity, can help strengthen your child’s immune system. These practices benefit the whole family and can make a big difference in keeping everyone healthy throughout the school year.

Sources:

Jama Network: Smart Thermometer–Based Participatory Surveillance to Discern the Role of Children in Household Viral Transmission During the COVID-19 Pandemic

CDC: Chronic School Absenteeism for Health-related Reasons Among Children Ages 5‒17 Years: United States, 2022

CDC: Vaccines

CDC: Clean Hands

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