#ShotsThoughts and #Jeans4Vaccines
We hope you're reading this blog while wearing your favorite pair of jeans. Maybe you've dressed them up with a nice button up. Maybe you're wearing an outlandishly grand belt buckle (hey, this is Nevada after all). Maybe you decided to forgo jeans in these hot temps and are rocking a denim skirt or jean shorts. However you chose to support #Jeans4Vaccines, we are glad you are taking part in Casual Friday for a Cause.
Last year, our team reflected on their favorite vaccines. From HPV to the flu vaccine, #TeamVaccine was excited to talk about their favorite life-saving immunizations. This year, we turn our thoughts towards the future. Our team thought long and hard about the vaccines that have yet to be created. With several impactful immunizations in the pipeline, our awesome team members shared what they are looking forward to the most!
Heidi Parker, Executive Director
Every 2 minutes, a child dies of malaria - most of these deaths are in Africa. Piloting this promising vaccine in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi has the potential to save tens of thousands of children's lives. I continue to be in awe of the power of vaccines to prevent killer diseases in children, including those who may not have immediate access to the doctors, nurses and health facilities they need to save them.
Tara Nerida, Community Outreach Manager
While most people recover from this virus, RSV can be very serious and deadly for infants and older adults. For children under the age of one, RSV is second to malaria for infectious disease deaths. Being a new parent to a 5 month old, I will do anything to protect my child from getting sick or injured. The idea of this new vaccine for RSV is ideal to help save the lives of many babies and to relieve the stress of parents who just want their child healthy and happy.
Rachel Quattrin, Volunteer Coordinator
HIV is an infection that gradually destroys a person's immune system and eventually causes AIDS. An estimated 1.1 million people in the U.S. live with HIV, and worldwide, this number jumps to 36.9 million people living with HIV. The promise of a vaccine to protect people against HIV infection is very exciting, as this would be monumental in preventing this horrific disease.
Carol Luna, AmeriCorps Project Manager
To know that the Zika virus can cause serious problems during pregnancy including birth defects called microcephaly, makes the development of a vaccine so critical for expecting families and those looking to start a family. I think of all of the babies that could be impacted by this life changing vaccine and how they could have a healthy start to life no matter where they live in the world.
David Pérez, Public Relations Coordinator
A vaccine to fight against Dengue. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes a severe flu-like illness and is carried/spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The viruses are passed on to humans through the bites of an infective female mosquito. I first heard of the dangers of Dengue when visiting my family in Sinaloa, Mexico during a summer vacation. Witnessing friends and family members take serious precaution against the dangerous virus made me aware of how important a vaccine against Dengue would be, especially to those underserved populations in rural farming communities in Mexico, who are sometimes kilometers away from the nearest clinic.
America Davis, Communications Coordinator
West Nile Virus (WNV) is the leading mosquito-borne illness in the United States. While many people infected with WNV don’t feel symptoms, about 1 in 150 infected individuals can develop a serious, sometimes fatal illness like encephalitis or meningitis. With climate change, mosquito populations are expected to increase dramatically. Warm climates will no doubt create WNV prevention challenges. I am hopeful for a vaccine to help protect and enable people to be able to spend time outdoors in the warmer months without fear.
Bobbi Tedesco, UNLV Student Worker
A vaccine for tuberculosis is absolutely necessary, as TB is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. The effects of the disease can be extremely detrimental to young adults and HIV-positive individuals, who are most at risk for contracting TB. While TB is treatable and curable, a vaccine would provide an accessible solution to those affected by the disease.
Unable to participate in #Jeans4Vaccines? Don't worry, there are plenty of other ways you can show your support for Immunize Nevada! You can volunteer your time, join one of our many committees, or even just be a vaccine advocate within your own network. Want to help us save lives? Consider making a donation and help us provide immunizations to our underserved populations throughout Nevada!
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