Every year, individuals and organizations are called upon to help protect Nevadans from influenza. And every year, health care professionals, coalition members, and other valuable organizations answer the call. Throughout flu season, individuals, companies, and organizations who have gone above and beyond to overcome barriers to accessing the flu vaccine through outreach, education, projects, and policies. Their efforts are instrumental in helping Nevada stay healthy! 

It’s hard to believe another year of promoting health and preventing disease at Immunize Nevada is about to come to a close.

This #GivingTuesday, I hope you enjoy reading what inspires our team of superheroes, their perspectives on our life-saving work, and a few favorite moments; as much as I enjoy being their fearless leader.

Nevada, thank you for continuing to give us the opportunity to do what we love; and love what we do:

Thanksgiving is full of traditions around the dinner table and for many families, around the TV too; as the holiday weekend is traditionally full of intense college football rivalry games. Iron Bowl, The Game, Backyard Brawl, Civil War, Duel in the Desert, Apple Cup, Crab Bowl. It’s no different here in Nevada, where the Battle for Nevada between the Wolf Pack and the Rebels happens each year (alternating between Reno and Las Vegas).

Media Contact: Jackie Shelton
(775) 624-9999 |

For Immediate Release:

Immunize Nevada Offers Flu Resource in InfluenceNevada.org  

As we celebrate Veterans Day, we are grateful for and honor all who have served in our nation’s Armed Forces. Too often in history we have called upon these brave men and women to protect our country and selflessly, they have put themselves in harm’s way. As fortunate as we are to protect our troops with the latest and greatest gear and ammunition, one of the greatest protections they are armed with are vaccinations. Since the late 1700’s, our troops have been vaccinated to not only protect them personally, but to help them accomplish their missions.

I consider myself fortunate. I get to spend my workdays with a group of smart, dynamic, and amazing public health professionals. Across our small, but mighty, team - creativity, passion for life, helping others, and living a healthy lifestyle is every bit as contagious as the influenza virus.

The words “just the flu” need to be eradicated from our lexicon.

Because this? This is the flu.

There’s no “just” about this. It was terrifying. It was the most helpless I’ve ever felt as a mommy. And it was potentially deadly.

My baby, 4 years old and so very tiny, is the real face of the flu.

Influenza (“the flu”) is more dangerous than the common cold, especially for children. Each year, millions of children get sick with seasonal influenza and miss school; thousands visit an urgent care center, the emergency room, and/or are hospitalized, and an average of 100 children die each season from the flu and its complications. 80-85% of those pediatric deaths did not receive a flu vaccine.

Recently on social media, there’s been an uptick in the uproar about Washoe County School District’s policy on head lice.

Update 11/3/17: Since this blog was posted, the House passed the “Continuing Community Health And Medical Professional Programs to Improve Our Nation, Increase National Gains, and Help Ensure Access for Little Ones, Toddlers, and Hopeful Youth by Keeping Insurance Delivery Stable Act of 2017” or the “CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act”, using the same offset of the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) as in the original bill.