The field of public health has seen numerous significant achievements throughout history, but one that particularly stands out is the development of the measles vaccine. This vaccine has not only played a crucial role in reducing the spread of measles but also in preventing serious complications associated with the disease. Its impact is most notable among vulnerable populations, especially children, whom it has helped protect from the harmful effects of measles. The widespread use of the measles vaccine has undoubtedly contributed to the decline in measles-related deaths and has been a key component in global efforts to eradicate the disease. The development and successful implementation of the measles vaccine have been recognized as a major public health milestone.
In most U.S. states, respiratory illness levels are currently considered “high” or “very high,” according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A few respiratory viruses have been driving the upward trend. “The influenza virus is the thing that’s really skyrocketing right now,” says Dr. Steven Stack, public health commissioner for the state of Kentucky and president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. “Influenza is sharply escalating and driving more hospitalizations.”
Have you ever wondered why babies get vaccines starting from the day they’re born? One big reason: The youngest are most at risk of diseases. It’s also the time in your child’s development that their immune system learns the most from vaccines.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a good time to check whether your child is up to date on vaccines, which help to provide immunity before kids are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Of all age groups, babies are more often hospitalized, and sometimes die, from diseases we can prevent with vaccines. That’s why most of the childhood vaccines are recommended during your baby’s first 12 to 18 months of life.
At least 200 million people worldwide have struggled with long COVID: a slew of symptoms that can persist for months or even years after an infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. But research suggests that that number would likely be much higher if not for vaccines.
A growing consensus is emerging that receiving multiple doses of the COVID vaccine before an initial infection can dramatically reduce the risk of long-term symptoms. Although the studies disagree on the exact amount of protection, they show a clear trend: the more shots in your arm before your first bout with COVID, the less likely you are to get long COVID. One meta-analysis of 24 studies published in October, for example, found that people who’d had three doses of the COVID vaccine were 68.7 percent less likely to develop long COVID compared with those who were unvaccinated. “This is really impressive,” says Alexandre Marra, a medical researcher at the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital in Brazil and the lead author of the study. “Booster doses make a difference in long COVID.”
Personal health is often among the top New Year’s resolutions each January. Beyond diet and exercise, Dr. John Presutti, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician, says the start of a new year is a good calendar reminder to update adult vaccinations.
Whether it’s the annual flu shot, latest COVID-19 booster, or milestone shots that cover pneumonia, shingles or tetanus, staying up to date on immunizations is just one way to protect your health.
Only 4.5% of a cohort of pediatric COVID-19 patients admitted to US hospitals during the period of Omicron predominance had completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series, and 7.0% had started but didn’t finish the series, The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journalreports.
The study team, led by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers, enrolled 597 vaccine-eligible COVID-19 inpatients aged 8 months to 4 years at 28 hospitals participating in the Overcoming COVID-19 network from September 2022 to May 2023. A total of 62.1% of patients were aged 8 months to 1 year, and 37.9% were aged 2 to 4 years.
It was only a matter of time. As pediatricians, we are concerned by the first measles case in Colorado since 2019. We have anxiously watched for three years as measles vaccination rates have fallen in our state while cases have risen around the world.
Colorado was spared in 2019 during our nation’s largest measles outbreak in 30 years. However, 1 in 8 Coloradan kindergarteners are not fully vaccinated against measles today, and our state is overdue for an outbreak.
As we get ready to don jingle bells and plan holiday feasts, it’s important to remember that COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are spreading. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are tracking hospitalizations, and the CDC’s FluView map is red across a majority of the nation’s states, indicating high levels of influenza-like illness. At Immunize Colorado, we know that simple steps like covering coughs and washing hands are helpful to stop the spread of these viruses. We also know that vaccines are one of the most powerful tools we have to help protect what’s most important to us. Read on to find out why members of our staff are staying current with respiratory virus vaccines like COVID-19, flu, and RSV:
It’s the holidays and while the holiday cheer is warm and fuzzy, the weather is not. So while we’re all inside and celebrating, I know it’s even more important to make sure that I’m protecting the most vulnerable of my family members. That includes my elderly father-in-law who struggles with several heart conditions to our youngest additions who aren’t old enough to receive vaccines. I want to celebrate with them and not worry about their health!
Rep. Susan Lontine, Executive Director
I get my flu and COVID-19 vaccines to protect both myself and my loved ones! I have asthma, which puts me at increased risk for complications from the flu and COVID-19; getting vaccinated means I lower my chances of getting seriously ill. Many of my loved ones, including my 75-year-old great aunt, Sally, are older, which also puts them at higher risk. I get vaccinated to protect her and the rest of my family. We all absolutely love getting together over the holidays, and if we’re sick, we can’t gather. Vaccines help us all stay healthy and ready to enjoy the holiday season together!
Emily Clancy, Communications Director
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu helps protect my loved ones. I can go to a large gathering knowing my chances of bringing viruses that could harm anyone and put a damper on the holiday cheer are much lower. I also get vaccinated to ensure I protect my lungs so that I can live a long life and be there for my husband and our three boys. I have pre-existing conditions including one that could result in degenerative lung disease so it’s extremely important to protect my entire respiratory system. I want to be a part of all the life adventures that await us!
Leann Springer, Communications Manager
This holiday season, I received my COVID-19 and flu vaccine to protect my friends and family. I want to keep myself and my loved ones safe so we can enjoy our time together. Staying healthy also allows me to continue traveling and exploring the cities around me.
Madelyn Wild, Public Health Associate
When my cousin got cancer a couple years ago, I saw how quickly someone can become immunocompromised. With all she was going through, the very least I could do was to get vaccinated to help protect her. Whenever I get vaccinated, I think of my cousin and people like her. The easiest way to help protect our loved ones and community is to get vaccinated.
Susanna Mirick, Outreach and Communications Fellow
This fall, I made sure to get flu and COVID vaccines. I will be visiting family this holiday season, and my niece is too young to get a COVID vaccine. It’s important for those like me who are able to get vaccinated to protect those who can’t be vaccinated.
Christian Vieweg, VISTA Leader
Our hope is that you will do the same and ensure you and your loved ones stay healthy this holiday season and throughout the rest of the respiratory virus season. It’s as simple as 1-2-3 to protect you and me:
Get a flu vaccine and an updated COVID-10 vaccine
Cover your cough, wash your hands, and stay home when sick.
Ask if your provider recommends RSV immunization.
Those three steps can make all the difference! Visit 123ProtectYouAndMe.org to learn more.
Happy, healthy holiday wishes from all of us at Immunize Colorado!
Immunize Colorado was formed in 1991 in response to alarmingly low vaccination rates across the state. At the time, only about 50% of Colorado’s children were adequately vaccinated. A group of physicians and other concerned individuals came together to strategize how to protect Coloradans from vaccine-preventable diseases and increase vaccine uptake. Much work remains. You can donate or discover other ways to get involved in supporting our commitment to healthy Colorado communities today!
Colorado has a confirmed case of measles for the first time since 2019,
Public health experts immediately sounded the alarm and are working to prevent a large outbreak since measles is so infectious.
The infected patient, whom health officials described as “an adolescent,” traveled through Denver International Airport on Dec. 13 and may have been infectious while attending a large gathering in Colorado Springs and later while visiting Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora on Dec. 18, according to experts at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
The patient’s vaccination status is unknown, according to CDPHE experts.
Measles is one of the world’s most dangerous illnesses because it so contagious.
Meanwhile, the CDC has issued an alert to clinicians about the need to increase immunizations for influenza, Covid-19, and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. The public health agency reported that in the past four weeks, hospitalizations across all age groups increased by 200% for influenza, 60% for RSV and 51% for Covid-19.
