The last year has been eventful. The British doctor who published a medical article potentially linking autism to vaccinations was accused of falsifying his data and lost his medical license. The pediatric community welcomed the approval of an enhanced pneumococcal vaccine (Prevnar 13), which will protect young children from even more subtypes of deadly bacteria that cause meningitis and severe blood infections. And, we were saddened by the tragedy of 10 infants from California dying of whooping cough (pertussis), a sobering reminder that vaccine-preventable diseases always are around.

Beginning in early 2010, all of the entities of Children’s Hospital and Health System pledged to work together to make a difference. Harnessing this collective energy and collaborative spirit, during the last year the health system was able to show improvement in vaccination rates in children age 2 and younger. In 2011, we will continue to partner with other organizations in our community to improve immunization rates across the region for all age groups and to spread the word that vaccines are effective, necessary and safe.

For more information about immunizations, read my blog Get the Facts about Vaccinations or call (800) CDC-INFO or visit Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

~ Lyn Ranta, MD, director of Physician Affairs, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Dr. Ranta is a co-leader of Children’s Hospital’s immunization initiative, and she treated children as a community pediatrician for more than 20 years.

With the excitement of the holiday season right around the corner, you probably are thinking about shopping, cooking, parties and snow sports. You are not thinking about chills, aches and fever. You should. Now’s the time to take action against influenza, before it interferes with your winter fun.

Flu immunizations are not only important for children, but also for adults to protect themselves and those around them. At Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, we know vaccines work best when most members of a community are vaccinated. This lowers everyone’s risk of exposure to preventable diseases. To help stop the spread of the flu, this year’s flu vaccine includes protection against H1N1 and seasonal flu strains.

Keep this in mind:
•    Flu vaccine is safe and effective. Because vaccines must be safe for use by as many people as possible, they are developed in accordance with the highest standards of safety. As a result, the United States currently has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in history.
•    Flu vaccine does not make you sick. However, as with any medical procedure, individuals react differently to vaccines, and there is no way to absolutely predict the reaction of a specific individual to a particular vaccine.
•    Flu vaccine does not provide full protection until two weeks after you receive it. Get vaccinated early.
•    The influenza virus changes each year. Last year’s vaccination will not protect you this year. You need a new vaccination each year.
•    Seasonal influenza results in 220,000 hospitalizations and 23,607 deaths every year.

Until we are able to eliminate influenza, it is important to keep immunizing. By getting a flu vaccination, you benefit yourself as well as the vulnerable, unvaccinated people around you.

Visit this website to find a flu vaccine location near you — www.google.org/flushot.

JUST FOR FUN
To read about immunization myths, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/6mishome.htm. For ten tips about immunizations, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/10-shouldknow.htm.

~ Joe Weyker, MBA, RN, manager, Employee Health and Wellness, Children’s Hospital and Health System

As a parent, I have always wanted to do what is best for my children. Making decisions about vaccinations was not a slam dunk. Even though I am a pediatrician, I still took extra time to try to sort through what is fact and what is the fiction. I made the decision to immunize my own children for the following reasons: …Continue reading →

Health officials predict the resurgence of H1N1 as summer changes to fall and kids are back in school. And, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, we are bombarded with new and sometimes changing information. We are very fortunate to have ready access to the latest facts and statistics from around the world. However, it’s important that those resources don’t cause unnecessary alarm or even panic.

Is H1N1 serious? Of course. Should we exercise caution? Absolutely. Can you help protect yourself and your children from the flu and help limit its spread? The answer is a resounding “yes.”

…Continue reading →