A recent study found that more than 1 in 4 parents within the United States were hesitant about the flu vaccine, while 1 in 15 parents surveyed were hesitant about all routine childhood immunizations.
Did you know that The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed vaccine hesitancy as 1 of the 10 leading threats to global health?
WHAT?!
Not receiving these life-saving immunizations has caused an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases across the world and even in our backyards. Think: recent measles resurgence within the United States (i.e. Disneyland).
The flu shot is recommended for all children >6 months of age. Unfortunately, during the 2018-2019 flu season, the vaccination rate was only 57.9% in the U.S.
Every year, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized from the flu. What will happen this flu season when so many are hospitalized from COVID19, too? The reality is that COVID19 is not going anywhere anytime soon. Will we run out of hospital beds and resources? What if you or your child got the flu on top of COVID19?
I could talk ALL DAY about the importance of routine immunizations, but today's post is on the yearly flu shot and its importance. Stay focused, Mandi, stay focused.
So, in a few months when the influenza vaccine is offered to you and your family, please remember this post and protect yourselves!!
Sending (socially distanced) hugs to you all.
Until next time,
Mandi
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