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The Booster Bulletin: Your Weekly Dose of Immunization News

Parents have a lot on their minds right now. The AAP and other health experts want them to know doctor’s offices and clinics are open for business, and ready to schedule visits to make sure their children are fully immunized. These visits are so important for other reasons, too, including making sure children’s development is on track and checking on other health concerns while families have been social distancing. Read more about Wellness Visits During COVID-19 and Shots for Tots During COVID-19

During this pandemic, we remain committed to sharing news and information from local and national media about COVID-19 and immunization-related topics. Each week we’ll continue to review clips from across the U.S., from various news outlets and platforms, and bring you ten timely and relevant links.

“Fears of Coronavirus Second Wave Prompt Flu Push at U.S. Pharmacies, Drugmakers” Reuters (May 26, 2020)

U.S. pharmacy chains are preparing a big push for flu vaccinations when the season kicks off in October, hoping to curb tens of thousands of serious cases that could coincide with a second wave of coronavirus infections. CVS Health Corp, one of the largest U.S. pharmacies, said it is working to ensure it has vaccine doses available for an anticipated surge in customers seeking shots to protect against seasonal influenza.

Opinion: “Will the Pandemic Lead to Outbreaks of Other Maladies?” The New York Times (May 26, 2020)

An unusual silence fills the waiting area of my fellow pediatrician’s office in suburban Maryland. On a typical day, one would expect to see the animated bustle of children. Nowadays, only two out of 10 scheduled visits might take place. Unused vaccine vials rapidly accumulate as families shelter at home.

“Different Approaches to a Coronavirus Vaccine” The New York Times (May 20, 2020) – Scientists are developing more than 100 coronavirus vaccines using a range of techniques, some of which are well-established and some of which have never been approved for medical use before. Most of these vaccines target the so-called spike proteins that cover the virus and help it invade human cells. The immune system can develop antibodies that latch onto spike proteins and stop the virus.

“Putting the Public Into Health” Dr. Richard Pan podcast (May 13, 2020)

Episode 14: Amy Pisani of Vaccinate Your Family speaks to Dr. Pan about flu Season colliding with COVID19, measles outbreak of 2019, vaccine hesitancy and death threats. (Audio with Captions)

“No, the WHO is not telling people to stop wearing masks” Medium (May 29, 2020)

Yesterday a story from Fox News (of course) started making the rounds claiming that updated guidelines from the World Health Organization are advising against the wearing of masks to control the spread of covid-19. This is cherry picking what the WHO is actually saying. The WHO's advice has not changed since the beginning of April. There is a global concern over a major shortage of medical masks.

“Gov. Sisolak doesn’t think Nevada will go back to normal without coronavirus vaccine” KSNV-NBC 3 (May 22, 2020)

A grim prediction from Governor Steve Sisolak today on the future of our economy, telling business leaders in a webinar that we would likely not return to a pre-COVID normal until there's a vaccine. It's sad news for several business owners who are slammed by the economic downfall of the virus, and scrambling to keep the doors open.

“The Biggest Threat to a Coronavirus Vaccine is the American People”  The New Republic (May 27, 2020)

The derangements of our current era could threaten the rock-solid legal precedents that provide states with the right to act in the interests of public health.

“On The ‘Front Lines’ Of An Outbreak: The Role Of Local Public Health Officials During A Pandemic” KUNC  (May 28, 2020)

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the work of local public health officials around our state is taking center stage.  But, as that work is increasingly in the spotlight, some of these professionals are also facing pushback from local officials and constituents.  Theresa Anselmo, The Executive Director of the Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials, joined KUNC's Colorado Edition to discuss the role of local public health officials during a pandemic. 

“Nevada COVID-19 deaths in April dwarfed flu deaths over same period in 2018, 2019, new analysis shows” The Nevada Independent  (May 24, 2020)

The number of Nevadans who died last month after contracting the novel coronavirus was more than four times the number of those who died from influenza and pneumonia over the same period in each of the last two years, according to an analysis by The Nevada Independent of a state report on causes of death and the state’s COVID-19 dashboard.

“Vaccinations, other public health efforts still vital during pandemic” This is Reno (May 28, 2020)

While medical professionals and government officials are responding to the coronavirus pandemic, there are other public health consequences that need to be addressed. Pediatric vaccinations for preventable diseases such as measles, meningitis and whooping cough have decreased nationally this year, likely as a result of stay-at-home orders. In Nevada, there has been a 64 percent decrease in routine childhood vaccinations since March, according to statewide nonprofit Immunize Nevada.

Prepare, Don’t Panic. To inform Nevadans statewide, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Governor's Office have created this website to better share information and resources as it pertains to the current status of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact within the state of Nevada. https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/

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