Category: News

Donald Trump vs. Vaccines

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In Dr. Paul Offit’s latest post on his substack, Beyond the Noise, he states: At a campaign rally on June 22, 2024, former president Donald Trump told a crowd of cheering fans, “I will not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate.” Given that every public school in the United States has vaccine mandates, this would mean eliminating all federal funding for public schools. Will Trump’s statement pressure schools to eliminate mandates? More to the point, why are school vaccine mandates important? The best way to understand school vaccine mandates is through the lens of measles virus, the Read More …

Increased Risk of Dengue Virus Infections in the United States

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June 25, 2024. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify healthcare providers, public health authorities and the public of an increased risk of dengue virus (DENV) infections in the United States in 2024. Read more

We the People Vax

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During the 2024 National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships, the ICD was honored to become a member of We the People Vax, a group of statewide Immunization coalitions and health organizations across the nation that have joined together to promote vaccines’ efficacy and safety by raising awareness of the patriotism of vaccinating through social media campaigns!

Vaccinate Your Family: 2023 Annual Report

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“Building a Culture of Immunization Through Partnerships” 2023 marked 30 years since the Vaccines For Children Program (VFC) was signed into law. This year’s Report reflects on the more than 1 million lives saved thanks to childhood vaccines in the U.S. in the VFC era and proposes a roadmap back to a culture of immunization based on collaboration. Inside Vaccinate Your Family’s 2023 Annual Report you’ll find: A letter from CEO, Amy Pisani Celebrating 30 years of the Vaccines For Children (VFC) Program Summaries of Vaccinate Your Family’s key programs, partnerships, platforms, and policies Read the report here: https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/about-us/funding/

Florida Measles Outbreak

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From Katelyn Jetelina and Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD (Your Local Epidemiologist) The measles outbreak at a Florida elementary school has grown to 8 cases and counting. We have measles outbreaks all the time (although the rate is increasing due to vaccine hesitancy), but this one came with a new controversy. The Florida State Health Department released a letter with a surprising new recommendation that contradicts standard of practice guidelines for measles outbreaks in two big ways: Isolation. It stated that unvaccinated kids who were exposed to measles could continue to attend school. This is unprecedented. Those with no prior immunity Read More …

DPH Issues Notification About Potential Measles Exposure

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The Delaware Division of Public Health Issues Notification About Potential Measles Exposure DOVER, Del. (Jan. 8, 2024) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is reporting a potential measles exposure in a Delaware health care facility. On January 5, 2024, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health identified a confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated individual. While infectious, the individual sought care at a healthcare facility in Delaware on December 29, 2023. In response to this exposure, DPH is acting to quickly identify and prevent the spread of disease. Officials are working to identify anyone who may have been Read More …

FDA Approves Maternal RSV Vaccine

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August 21, 2023. Fenit Nirappil, Washington Post Federal regulators on Monday approved a maternal RSV vaccine administered during pregnancy to protect infants from severe illness. It’s the latest in a new arsenal of immunizations against the common respiratory virus that is the leading cause of hospitalization in young children and kills thousands of seniors annually. Read more.

ACIP Votes Unanimously to Recommend Nirsevimab

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Today, ACIP voted unanimously (10 YES – 0 NO for all votes) to recommend nirsevimab for use in infants <8 months born or entering their first RSV season, and for children aged 8-19 months who are at increased risk of RSV disease entering their second RSV season (agenda and slides). The Committee also voted for the inclusion of nirsevimab in VFC: Infants aged <8 months born during or entering their first RSV reason are recommended to receive one dose of nirsevimab (50 mg for infants <5 kg and 100 mg for infants ≥5kg) Children aged 8-19 months who are at Read More …

DPH Announces Start of Flu Season

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DOVER, DE (Sept. 29, 2022) – October 2 marks the official start of the 2022-2023 influenza (flu) season. The flu vaccine plays a pivotal role in helping to avoid significant flu-related illnesses, including hospitalization and death. The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) believes it is vital for Delawareans to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting the flu vaccine as soon as possible, particularly given the ongoing battle against COVID-19 and a potentially active flu season ahead. The U.S. often looks to the experience of Australia and New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere during their flu season in the summer as a possible Read More …