Summary of Research: This article looks at the experiences of immunization staff and health officers in addressing medical exemption requests following passage of California’s 2015 Senate Bill 277, eliminating non medical exemptions to vaccines for school entry. Authors note that California’s experiences following SB277 may inform other states who consider stricter vaccine exemption policies.
Vaccine Medical Exemptions 101
In response to the growing anti-vaccination trend, several states now limit personal and/or religious exemptions to vaccinations that are required for school entry. This leaves some parents desperately seeking medical exemptions in order allow their non-vaccinated children to continue to attend schools or daycares. And some medical providers are willing to comply… for a fee … Read more
Achieving the End Game: Employing “Vaccine Diplomacy” to Eradicate Polio in Pakistan
Summary of Research: Polio eradication in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria has proven difficult to achieve. In Pakistan, cultural barriers, diplomatic challenges, and regional conflict continue to impact public health efforts. “Vaccine diplomacy” will be necessary to move us forward.
Vaccine Video/Story of the Week
Follow this link to see the Sept. 19 report by ANC News: the Philippine government declares a polio outbreak following a confirmed case. The Department of Health said the public’s fear of vaccination is among the reasons for the reemergence of the disease nearly two decades since the country was declared polio-free.
Vaccine Data: Do the Math
Have you ever had a discussion with your child about why they need to be able to do math when “Nowadays we have technology and everyone just uses a calculator”? I mean (eye roll and sigh)… Who is this “everyone”, anyways? Kids are great at making you feel out of the loop and old at … Read more
Vaccine Video/Story of the Week
Follow this link to see National Geographic’s report about how the flu virus attacks its host, why it’s nearly impossible to eradicate and what scientists are doing to combat it.
Numerous Experimental Vaccines that Aim to Provide Multi-Season Protection are in Human Studies
Summary: In her 2018 article for The-Scientist.com, Ashley Taylor offers a well-crafted explanation of the groundbreaking research being done to develop a more universal flu vaccine.
A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words: #ShowUsYourShot
What if… Since a picture is worth 1,000 words, what if we saw more pictures on-line of children and families willingly being vaccinated? What if the first image that came to mind when thinking about vaccination was happy, strong, healthy children protecting themselves and their communities – not children screaming and being forcibly restrained? What … Read more
Web-based Social Media Intervention to Increase Vaccine Acceptance: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Summary of Research: Individuals are increasingly turning to the Internet and Social Media to get answers to their health-related questions. Vaccine hesitancy seems to have spread so quickly in part due to the proliferation of anti-vaccine content online. As we see the return of vaccine-preventable diseases, interventions to address vaccine hesitancy and to increase acceptance of vaccines are needed. This study sought to determine if a Web-based, social media intervention could increase early childhood immunization rates.
Vaccine Video/Story of the Week
Dr. LaSalle speaks about the importance of vaccines – to celebrate them during August’s National Immunization Awareness Month, she is encouraging everyone to use the social media hashtag #ShowUsYourShot. Follow this link to see how.