Blog
Happy New Year from NFID
As we wrap up 2016, we thank you for your generous donations to NFID that helped support the fight against infectious diseases…
Top 10 Must Read 2016 NFID Blog Posts
As 2016 comes to a close, NFID would like to wish all readers a safe and happy holiday season. As we reflect on the past year, we are pleased to share this recap of the top 10 most read blog posts in 2016…
Experts Answer Questions About Flu
Special thanks to Vaccinate Your Family for co-sponsoring the Flu Facebook Forum during National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), as well as those who took time to ask flu-related questions and the NFID experts (William Schaffner, MD; Walter A. Orenstein, MD; Patricia A. Stinchfield, RN, MS, CPNP, CIC; Lisa S. Ipp, MD; and Kathleen M. Neuzil, MD, MPH) who provided detailed responses.
Threat of H1N1 Virus Makes Flu Shots a Must
CDC estimates that flu vaccine prevented nearly 744,000 illnesses, 320,000 doctor’s visits, and about 8,000 hospitalizations among people age 50 years to 64 years last season. But, if just 5 percent more people in the 50 to 64 age group had been vaccinated last season, CDC estimates that an additional 82,000 illnesses and 900 hospitalizations could have been prevented.
Influenza Vaccines for All Ages
It seems not everyone has gotten the message about influenza vaccines, so once again: everyone age six months and older needs an annual influenza vaccine. We have more than enough vaccine supply and many types of influenza vaccines available. There is at least one, and usually multiple options, available for every one of us. Vaccination is the key to influenza prevention for everyone.
Examining Common Arguments Against Influenza Vaccination
We need to strongly recommend vaccination for all patients. If you don’t give patients the option for other necessary medical interventions, such as taking needed insulin, why do you give them an option with a vaccine?
Increasing Vaccination Rates: What Nurses Can Do
Nurses make up the largest segment of healthcare professionals in the US. With more than 3 million registered nurses nationwide, we have an unrivaled ability to reach patients, families, and fellow healthcare professionals with important health messages.
Expecting the Unexpected: When Flu Strikes Healthy Teens and Young Adults
Flu easily spreads among students, including those in college. Students are constantly exposed to other students (and their germs/infections) in class. When students get the flu, it is nothing to take lightly. On average, college students with the flu experience 8 days or more of illness — potentially impacting days in the classroom and academic performance.
We’ve Come A Long Way: Trends in Flu Vaccination
The first recorded worldwide influenza epidemic happened in 1580, more than 430 years ago. The outlook for preventing influenza remained bleak for 350 years until the first influenza virus strain was isolated in a laboratory in 1933, and the work began to create an effective vaccine…
RSV: The Annual Epidemic You May Not Know About (But Should)
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is estimated to cause 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths in adults 65 and older in the US every year, and yet it goes largely unrecognized. With new RSV-specific antivirals and vaccines in the research pipeline, we need to begin raising awareness of the burden of RSV among older adults…