The 2022-23 �lu season is heating up across the country, just in time for the holidays. Getting a �lu vaccine can help you and your loved ones stay healthy.
Every year in the UnitedStates, influenza(flu) causesmillions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of deaths — even among healthy children and adults. Everyone is at risk from flu, but young children, pregnant people, older adults, communities of color, and people with chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, asthma) are particularly vulnerable to flu-related complications.
In 2022, flu activity and spread started earlier in the year, and might continue to spread during the winter months. Contrary to popular belief, flu is not just a bad cold. Flu is an entirely different kind of virus. Although we see “cold and flu” products at the pharmacy, flu can be really serious.
The best way to help protect yourself and your loved ones is
with an annual flu vaccine.
Annual flu vaccines are updated every year to help protect against circulating strains. So even if you had a flu vaccine last year, you still need one this season. Everyone 6 months and older needs a flu vaccine every year.
If you’re 65 years of age or older, it is now recommended that you receive a high-dose, adjuvanted, or recombinant flu vaccine, all of which have been shown to provide better protection for older adults. A healthcare provider can help you decide which flu vaccine is right for you.
Getting a flu vaccine can be free, quick, and easy. These vaccines are available at doctors’ offices, pharmacies, clinics, local health departments, schools,
and grocery stores. The best time to get a flu shot is now!
It takes your body about two weeks to gain protection following vaccination, so plan on getting a flu shot before you visit your loved ones this holiday season to avoid spreading germs along with your holiday cheer. And if you’re already planning on getting a COVID19 vaccine, you can safely get your flu vaccine at the same time. And yes, you need both — one does not protect against the other.
A common misconception about flu shots is that they can give you the flu. That’s not possible and here’s why: Flu shots teach our bodies to fight off flu, but they don’t contain live viruses that can reproduce and cause infection. Some people
may experience common side effects following vaccination, like a headache or mild body aches, but that’s actually your immune system responding to the vaccine and creating antibodies.
Symptoms of an actual flu infection can feel much worse, lasting days and even weeks. Nobody wants to miss out on holiday fun with family and friends because they’re stuck at home with the flu.
Get vaccinated this holiday season There is no substitute for annual flu vaccination. Eating healthy and exercising can contribute to overall health, but even strong, healthy people can get really sick with flu. Sadly, I lost my healthy 5-yearold son to flu and my story is not unique — each year, more
than 52,000 people lose a loved one to flu. Our stories illustrate that flu does not discriminate; we’re all at risk regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, health status, or lifestyle.
Finally, if you do get sick with flu, stay home to avoid infecting others, and get tested if you’re not sure if it’s COVID19, flu, or something else. If it is flu, seek medical attention if needed, because antiviral medications can be given within the first 48 hours of your illness that may lessen the length and severity of your flu symptoms.
To learn more about flu, flu vaccination, and to read stories of people like me who’ve been impacted by flu, visit www.vaccinateyourfamily. org. n
hall meetings on childhood vaccines and pregnancy in the West.
A dedication to education
We continued to encourage family, friends, and community members to attend “Covid Conversation” webi nars, national town hall meetings, bi-monthly “community of practice” sessions, “Brunch & Learn on Social Determinants of Health” sessions, and vaccine clinics. Our commit ment to education provided the space for attendees to make informed deci sions about vaccines.
As COVID-19 ravaged the United States and disproportionately affected communi ties of color, nonprofit organizations such as the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) was poised and positioned for pandemic response. NCNW’s 87-year history and coali tion infrastructure of trusted mes sengers includes states, national affiliate women’s organizations, and the National Panhellenic Council with a combined reach of 4.5 million. Together, we partnered with commu nity-based organizations (CBOs) to increase vaccine education, vaccine access, and help build vaccine confi dence.
Partnering with the community Relationships
matter: Trusted messengers are the reliable infrastruc ture necessary to build vaccine con fidence. We had to activate, educate, and motivate in record speed by partnering with hospitals, pharmacies, corporations — anyone willing to give us a seat at the table as we designed effective community responses.
We are addressing the need to educate about the importance of vaccines as preventable measures to improve health and the quality of life.
Most importantly, we moved from a community engagement mindset to a true community union. Our community union included hard and truthful con versations to address vaccine hes itancy with family and friends, shared resources, joint deci sion-making and a commitment to stay connected, no matter the public health crisis.
We partnered with Uber to provide thousands of rides to vaccination
clinics, addressed social determi nants of health to distribute water and vaccine information in the Mid west, converted a mammogram bus to distribute vaccines to rural areas of the South, and hosted national town
We are addressing the need to educate about the importance of vaccines as preventable measures to improve health and the quality of life. NCNW’s Good Health WINs and other CBOs provide the infra structure, partnership, and relation ships to build vaccine confidence and save lives. n
Vaccines are undeniably responsible for improved health outcomes globally, but challenges remain that diminish their health and economic impact.
The global pandemic reminded us that vac cines are one of the most successful public health technologies ever developed. They save millions of lives annually1, can offer significant economic benefits2, and have eradicated several deadly diseases. 3
Despite these benefits, significant challenges remain, including factors
related to vaccine access and uptake.
“Responding to public health needs can be challenging, and sometimes daunting,” said John Herrmann, executive vice president and chief legal officer at biotechnology com pany Novavax. “Building strategic alliances between biotechnology com panies and industry partners whose strengths complement our own allows us to quickly and efficiently scale up
operations to meet emerging public health needs — such as vaccine man ufacturing and rapid delivery to global markets.”
The most obvious benefit of effective, widely available vaccines is the lives saved1 through their use. For example, it’s estimated that vaccines prevent 3.5-5 million deaths every year.1
Vaccines are also among the most cost-effective public health interven tions ever developed. On a macro scale, vaccines save billions in healthcare costs each year by lowering rates of infection and reducing morbidity and mortality — and thus hospitalizations — for diseases worldwide.4
From an individual perspective, being vaccinated reduces out-ofpocket healthcare costs,5 helps prevent
income loss from extended time off work,6 and may help personal insurance premiums from rising.7
All vaccines authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies go through multiple phases of testing before authorization and distribution and remain under post-authorization monitoring for any rare side effects. Despite these safety measures, vac-
1World Health Organization. (2022). Vaccines and Immunization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/ vaccines- and-immunization#tab=tab_1
2Xiong, X., Li J., Huang B., Tam T. et al (2022). Economic Value of Vaccines to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hong Kong: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis. Vaccines 2022, 10 (4), 495. https://doi. org/10.3390/vaccines10040495
3Wagner C.E., Prentice J.A., Saad-Roy C.M. et al (2020). Economic and Behavioral In�luencers of Vaccination and Antimicrobial Use. Frontiers in Public Health 21 December 2020. https://doi.org/10.3389/ fpubh.2020.614113
cine hesitancy, which can be based on non-medical reasoning, is on the rise. “With millions of people8 affected by infectious diseases, there is an urgent need to increase vaccination uptake globally to prevent the spread of serious illness and deaths. One important way to address this need is to equip communities with accurate vaccine information 9 so that individuals can make well-informed decisions about their own vaccination,” said Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, executive
4Largeron, N., Lévy, P., Wasem J. et al (2015). Role of vaccination in the sustainability of healthcare systems. Journal of Market Access & Health Policy 2015. https:// doi.org/10.3402%2Fjmahp.v3.27043
5Tarazi, W., Samson, L. W., Sheingold, S. et al (2022). Hospitalization Cost Savings Associated with COVID19 Vaccinations Among Medicare Bene�ıciaries in Early 2021. Of�ıce of the Assistant Secretary For Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Issue Brief No. HP-2022-18)
6Rittle, C. (2014). Can Increasing Adult Vaccination Rates Reduce Lost Time and Increase Productivity?
director of the American Public Health Association.
Vaccine hesitancy can stem from misinformation, lack of information, and medical mistrust. It increases the danger that infectious diseases pose to communities and puts increased economic pressure on entire societies.10
“As we work to decrease rates of morbidity and mortality from the world’s most infectious diseases, Novavax is dedicated to understanding the drivers of vaccine acceptance in communities where vaccine uptake is low,” said Dr. Gregory M. Glenn, president of research and development at Novavax.
Limited health literacy affects people of all ages, races, incomes, and education levels globally, and has been linked to poor health outcomes and higher costs11 due to healthcare expenditures. Education and “vaccine literacy” are essential, according to Lori Rose Benson, executive director and chief executive officer at Hip Hop Public Health. “By providing culturally responsive, evidence-based health communications via trusted messengers, we can help bridge gaps in vaccine uptake, drive confidence, and positively impact the larger footprint of infectious diseases, particularly for young adults.”
Vaccine equity is another barrier. Worldwide vaccination coverage continues to lag,12 especially in lower-income areas of the world that lack suffi cient healthcare infrastructure, education, and trained healthcare professionals. Finding practical ways of delivering more vaccine doses to more
Workplace Health and Safety 2014.
7Pauly, M. V. (2017). Vaccines as Epidemic Insurance. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14(11).
8World Health Organization. (1996). Infectious diseases kill over 17 million people a year: WHO warns of global crisis. https://www.who.int/ news/item/01-01-1996-infectious-diseases-killover-17-million-people-a- year-who-warns-ofglobal- crisis#:~:text=Infectious%20diseases%20 kill%20over%2017%20million%20people%20 a,infections%20by%20ba cteria%20and%20 viruses%2C%20the%20report%20says.
Michaud, C.M. (2009). Global Burden of Infectious
people who want them is paramount to protecting from vaccine-preventable disease.
Novavax is an innovator in vaccine research, but innovation alone can’t overcome challenges in vaccine confidence, access, and uptake. Developing vaccines is a complex process that requires partnerships at every stage: research, testing, manufacturing, and distribution. Novavax has actively pursued global partnerships to expand access around the world.
“Our partnership with Serum Institute of India (SII) is an important example of collaboration that can expand access to vaccines in areas of the world where vaccination rates are well below public health targets,” Hermann said. “It is through strategic partnerships like this that rapid scale up of manufacturing capabilities could help ensure no country is left behind in the race to deliver vaccines, which ultimately decrease the financial burden lower vaccine uptake places on our global economy.”
The pandemic may be receding from the public consciousness, but vaccines remain as vital as ever to protect our tomorrow. n
To learn more, visit, Novavax.com
Diseases. Encyclopedia of Microbiology 2009. https:// doi.org/10.1016%2FB978-012373944-5.00185-1
Rawlings, L., Looi, J.C.L., Robson, S. (2022). Economic Considerations in COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Refusal: A Survey of the Literature. Economic Record (98). https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-4932.12667
Shahid, R., Shoker, M., Pahwa, P. (2022). Impact of low health literacy on patients’ health outcomes: a multicenter cohort study. BMC Health Services Research (22). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-02208527-9
World Health Organization. (2022). Vaccine Equity. https://www.who.int/campaigns/vaccine-equity
Because of the pandemic, many parents postponed pediatrician visits for their children. Now is the perfect time to catch up.
If you postponed visits to the doctor during the pandemic, now is a good time to catch up with your pediatrician. Children and teens need regular checkups to make sure their development is on track, to talk about nutrition and behavior, and to get the vaccines they need.
It’s safe and necessary; plus, your pediatrician wants to see your child. Pediatricians have seen a huge drop in patient visits because of the pandemic. Lots of children are missing vaccinations, physical exams, and screenings. Now that influenza and COVID-19 are circulating, it’s important that you stay connected with your pediatrician.
Pediatricians are taking extra steps to protect against COVID-19. If you have any concerns, you can call your pediatrician. They can tell you about safety precautions in place at the office.
If your child hasn’t been vaccinated for influenza yet, it’s not too late. Your child should get a flu vaccine as soon as possible. Getting an influenza vaccine can both prevent flu and lessen the risk of severe symptoms if they do get sick. It’s as important as wearing a face covering, washing hands, and staying 6 feet apart.
Besides the influenza vaccine, your child also needs their recommended childhood immunizations. We wouldn’t want an outbreak of another potentially deadly, yet entirely preventable disease, such as measles.
Other reasons to schedule a visit with your pediatrician include newborn visits after
a having a baby; adolescent health concerns, such as menstrual care and depression screening; routine lead, anemia, and cholesterol screening; hearing and vision screenings; monitoring growth, blood pressure, and other vital signs; preparticipation physical examinations before returning to sports or other activities; assessing developmental
milestones; and treating infections or injuries.
Keeping your child safe
To make visits safe, some offices have separated “sick” and “well” areas of their clinic, or are having newborns come in before other patients. Phone ahead so your pediatrician can advise you on the best way to come in.
For other kinds of appointments, pediatricians may offer video visits. Call your pediatrician’s office to find out if this is available and appropriate for the needs of your child or teen.
If you feel you need to call 911, trust your instincts and call. Otherwise, it’s generally a good idea to check in with your pediatrician first. Sometimes they can help over the phone or will help coordinate other kinds of care for your child without a trip to the hospital.
Most of all, do not avoid seeing your pediatrician or going to the clinic or hospital if your child needs necessary medical care.
If your child is sick or injured, or struggling emotionally, pick up the phone and call your pediatrician. We are working hard to make sure we can care for your child, while keeping everyone safe. n
Jennifer Shu, M.D., FAAP, American Academy of PediatricsEvery parent wants their children to grow up healthy and strong. A huge part of ensuring a child’s health is dealing with every illness promptly. Fortunately, a lot of childhood diseases are easily avoided. Yet every year, millions of people in the United States suffer from a variety of diseases like measles, tetanus, or rabies — all easily preventable via vaccination.
Vaccines prevent 2–3 million deaths per year globally. However, vaccinepreventable diseases (VPDs) still cause 1.5 million deaths worldwide.
Many parents think diseases like chickenpox or polio are things of the past. We only think that way because vaccines have been so effective in preventing these terrible diseases. Here’s a rundown of some of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases:
Though seen as a mild disease, chickenpox can result in bleeding disorders, brain swelling, and pneumonia. It’s transmitted in the air and through direct contact. The varicella vaccine offers robust protection.
A potentially fatal disease, measles causes rash, fever, brain swelling, and pneumonia. In 2018 alone, more than 140,000 people died from measles — primarily children under 5 years old.
Beginning with a mild fever, diphtheria can eventually lead to heart failure, coma, and death.
Both forms of hepatitis attack the liver, leading to liver failure, liver cancer, and associated disorders. They often show no symptoms until the disease is quite advanced, but well-established vaccines protect against them both.
According to the CDC, someone is treated for rabies exposure every
10 minutes. It can be contracted from almost-invisible scratches and bites from wildlife, but it’s easily preventable via vaccination.
Known as whooping cough, this disease appears as severe cough and apnea. In 2017, there were nearly 19,000 cases of whooping cough.
Despite having one of the most successful vaccines, the disease remains a threat. Victims may show no symptoms at all, but polio can eventually lead to paralysis and death.
A bacterial infection of the brain and spinal cord, it progresses rapidly, and immediate treatment is necessary.
Once thought eradicated via an aggressive vaccination program, there have been thousands of new cases since 2006.
Some parents assume that many of these diseases are no longer a threat because successful vaccination programs have nearly eradicated them. Vaccinating your children against these common VPDs is the only way to ensure protection from them. You should consult your physician about a vaccination schedule. n
Contracted through cuts and open wounds, this terrible disease can cause muscle stiffness that affects the ability to swallow and breathe. Jeff Somers
Though vaccines have successfully minimized risk, a lot of vaccinepreventable diseases are still infecting people today.
