Blog
Chatting about Flu (on Twitter)
In partnership with NFID (@NFIDvaccines) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) influenza division (@CDCFlu), Richard Besser, MD chief health and medical editor at ABC News (@abcDrBchat), hosted a live tweet chat on influenza (flu) prevention on September 29, 2015 (using hashtag #abcDrBchat.) Scheduled to coincide with the start of flu season in the US, the chat provided an opportunity for individuals to ask questions around flu, flu vaccines, and other prevention strategies. Participating medical experts encouraged everyone six months and older to get vaccinated annually to help #FightFlu.
CDC Answers Top Questions About Flu
Special thanks to Daniel B. Jernigan, MD, MPH, Director of the Influenza Division at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for sharing his perspective on the importance of annual flu vaccination for all people 6 months and older.
Leading By Example in Preventing Influenza
On September 17, 2015, NFID hosted the 19th Annual Influenza/Pneumococcal News Conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), joined with leading medical/public health experts at the news conference and encouraged all individuals age 6 months and older to get vaccinated against influenza (flu) annually.
Kicking Off Flu Awareness
This week, NFID kicked off its 2015-2016 flu season awareness activities with an exciting expanded partnership with the Major League Soccer men’s team, D.C. United. Team players, coaches, medical staff, and Talon (the team mascot) were invited to ‘Lead By Example’ and get their flu vaccine during a team clinic event.
Older Adults Need Vaccines, Too!
Similar to eating healthy foods, exercising, and getting regular check-ups, vaccines are vital in order to stay healthy, particularly for older adults. As you age, your immune system typically does not function as well as it used to, making older adults more susceptible to vaccine-preventable infectious diseases and serious complications.
5 Types of Vaccine-Hesitant Parents
No two parents are the same. When it comes to vaccines for their children, parents can range from being pro-vaccine to anti-vaccine, to somewhere in the middle, simply looking for reliable and accurate information about vaccines.
A Strong Vaccine Recommendation Makes a Difference
Vaccines are one of the greatest public health success stories, and while US immunization rates for children and adolescents are high, adult immunization rates remain notably low. As a result, each year more than 50,000 US adults die due to vaccine‐preventable diseases and related complications.
Pregnancy: Protecting Baby Starts Now
From the moment you found out you were pregnant, you began protecting your baby. You may have changed the way you eat, started taking a prenatal vitamin, and started to research which car seat you’ll buy. But, did you know that one of the best ways to protect your children against pertussis (whooping cough) and influenza (flu) is to make sure you get the Tdap and flu vaccines while you are pregnant?
10 Reasons to #GetVaccinated
Every August, National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of vaccines across the lifespan. Get involved with NIAM and help spread the word to encourage healthy behaviors. Vaccines are among the safest and most effective ways to protect yourself and those you love from infectious diseases.
World Hepatitis Day: Prevent Hepatitis. Act Now!
Viral hepatitis is caused by five distinct hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E. Infection from these viruses causes acute and chronic liver disease and results in nearly 1.5 million deaths each year, mostly from hepatitis B and C.