We’ve been successfully vaccinating children against Hepatitis B since the early 1990s. And, in the past, only “at risk” adults (those with exposure to blood and body fluids through work or lifestyle) were recommended to receive the Hep B vaccine series. But this summer, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) updated guidelines to … Read more
Why do we vaccinate? This is a super important question and one I don’t think enough people have fully thought through. The reasons aren’t as black and white as we might think. But we’ll get to that in a minute. First, I want to take a moment to ponder where we are and how things … Read more
This is a country founded on the principle of freedom; of thought, of religion, freedom to be who and what you want to be. But inherent in this privilege is a contract, with one’s neighbors and society. This social contract acknowledges that no individual exists outside of communion with and responsibility to other humans. Americans … Read more
Never put it past Mother Nature to take the upper hand. Dismiss the value and importance of Nature and the tightly interwoven relationship of human survival with the health of our natural world and our fellow citizens long enough, and Nature will take steps to remind us who is in control. We are seeing this … Read more
Let’s look at a common refrain that we hear from many who are skeptical about getting a COVID vaccine. Translation: Do scientists even know what they are talking about? “The CDC and public health COVID guidelines keep changing. How can I trust what they say about COVID vaccines?” This concern makes total sense. At least, … Read more
Today we are talking COVID19, vaccines, and risk. We have now administered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to more than 6 million people across the U.S. It’s a start, but this number is significantly lower than we would have hoped. There are likely several reasons for this slow roll-out. There has been little central leadership … Read more
Like many hearing this claim for the first time, I was indignant. “Microchips in our Vaccines?” What the… H-E-double hockey sticks? Ridiculous! Absurd! How could someone believe such nonsense? But, as in all of my dealings with people who are skeptical of science and vaccines, after my initial and internal (never voiced out loud – … Read more
If you’ve ever wondered what life was like before vaccines, or what life could be like if we allow immunization rates to fall, now you know. Or, at least, now you have a sense – suffering, death, anxiety, fear, poverty, and more. In 2020, we will certainly fare better in our fight against the novel … Read more
Washingtonians are a pioneering people. We are tough. We are resilient. Unfortunately, with the report of the first US death from Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our own back yard, we are pioneering in a way that we didn’t necessarily want. And our toughness and resilience will be called upon to set an example to the rest … Read more
Even though this post may start out feeling like it has nothing to do with vaccines, I will bring it around in the end. I promise. But first, we are going to start with a parenting story. Watch out world, we’ve got a driver! I am inspired to write this post by the fact that … Read more