www.FindFluMist.com

So, what steps can you be taking?

Avoid people who are sick

Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing

Wash your hands

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Disinfect frequently touched surfaces

Above all, the single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend getting vaccinated every year against the flu, but did you know that there are several types of flu vaccines to choose from? Better yet, there is a needle-free nasal spray flu vaccine available to eligible patients 2-49 years of age.

Dr. Ravi Jhaveri, Division Head, Infectious Disease; Virginia H. Rogers Professor in Infectious Diseases and Professor of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), Northwestern University School of Medicine, will be available to discuss ways to prepare for this year’s flu season including the various types of flu vaccines available.

Interview is courtesy: Interview is courtesy: AstraZeneca

#fluseason #flu #flumist #covid #covid-19 #rsv #holidays #lovedones #illness #nose #eyes #mouth #sneezing #coughing #astrazeneca #drravijhaveri #disease #vaccines

The post FLU SEASON IS HERE, ARE YOU READY?  What you need to know and how to manage the peak of flu season  appeared first on Good News!.

This year’s International Day of Peace comes at a crisis point for humanity.

COVID-19 has turned our world upside-down.

Conflicts are spinning out of control.

The climate emergency is worsening.

Inequality and poverty are deepening.

And mistrust and division are driving people apart at a time when solidarity and collaboration are needed more than ever.

As a human family, we face a stark choice —

Peace or perpetual peril.

We must choose peace.

That is why I call for a 24-hour ceasefire today.

And by working in solidarity for a lasting, sustainable peace every day, we can tackle the issues facing us.

We need peace to urgently deliver lifesaving vaccines and treatment for COVID-19.

We need peace to recover from the pandemic and re-build shattered systems and shattered lives.

We need peace to level the playing field and reduce inequalities.

We need peace to renew trust in one another — and faith in facts and science.

And we need to make peace with nature — to heal our planet, build a green economy, and achieve our net-zero targets.

Peace is not a naïve dream.

It’s a light in the darkness.

Guiding us to the only pathway to a better future for humanity.

Let’s walk the pathway of peace as if our lives depended on it.

Because they do.

Thank you.

#internationaldayofpeace #antonioguterres #unsecretarygeneral #un #secretarygeneral #peace #peaceday #humanity #covid #crisispoint #vaccines #pandemic #dream #pathway #climate #emergency

The post UN SECRETARY GENERAL’S MESSAGE FOR PEACE DAY 2021 appeared first on Good News!.

Now amidst a different pandemic environment and laxed social distancing that has prompted influenza’s inevitable resurgence, annual vaccination remains the best way to protect ourselves and families.

http://familiesfightingflu.org/

Influenza vaccination is critical in helping to avoid a potential ‘twindemic’ and alleviate the burden on our healthcare system. According to the CDC, it is both safe and effective for a COVID-19 vaccine to be co-administered with a seasonal flu vaccine and may even improve the uptake of both vaccines/boosters.

Key Flu Facts:

Influenza vaccination prevents hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations each year and can alleviate the growing burden on our healthcare system

Flu vaccine is especially critical for protecting vulnerable populations, including young children, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions

Children under 18 years of age suffered nearly 52,500 flu-related hospitalizations and 434 deaths in 2019/20, which is why it’s critical for parents of children under 18 years of age to be vigilant about vaccination

Shelle Allen, President, Families Fighting Flu (a national, nonprofit, advocacy organization dedicated to protecting children, families, and communities against the flu) will be available to discuss the importance of flu vaccines and help families plan for it. Shelle has a personal connection to this issue. Her daughter, Madi Allen, was placed on life support when she was 12 years old as a result of influenza, and even had part of her left lung removed more than a decade later due to long-term effects.

Joining Shelle will be Gregg Sylvester, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Seqirus, a global leader in influenza prevention, which is partnering with Families Fight Flu, urging them to take a “Promise” to stay on track for flu vaccines.

#avoiding #twindemic #family #covid #flu #help #families #fighting #vaccination #healthcare #health #care #cdc #boosters #vaccines #influenza #hospital #stelle #allen #gregg #sylvester #promise

The post AVOIDING A POTENTIAL ‘TWINDEMIC’ Experts Say Flu & Covid 19=Double Dose of Trouble How You & Your Family Can Help appeared first on Good News!.

The COVID-19 Vaccines Offer the Protection We Need

One of Mount Sinai’s leading experts explains how the new vaccines will reduce the severity of the illness, as the flu vaccine does, and why we must also continue to do what we know works best—get vaccinated, wear masks, and practice social distancing.

Mounts Sinai Highlights

Should You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine If You Are Pregnant?
If you’re pregnant, you likely have a lot of questions about whether it’s safe for you and your baby to receive a vaccine. A Mount Sinai doctor draws on her vast experience as a high-risk obstetrician—as well as her own pregnancy—to offer her perspectives on how to decide if vaccination is right for you.
Learn More>

COVID-19 Vaccination Updates From Mount Sinai
Because information about the development of COVID-19 vaccines changes often, we are regularly providing updates for our patients and the community. Get information on vaccine appointments, New York State Department of Health distribution guidelines, FAQs and more.
Learn More>

Mount Sinai Stories of Excellence

Bringing Smiles to Young Patients and Their Families
Professor, a golden doodle, is one of three facility dogs who work at The Mount Sinai Hospital, helping calm patients and boosting the morale of staff.
Learn More >

An Inspiring Story About Giving Birth at Mount Sinai
Two New York City actors are beginning a second act—pursuing careers in labor and delivery nursing. Both were inspired by their positive experiences giving birth at Mount Sinai West.
Learn More >

The post The COVID-19 Vaccines Offer the Protection We Need appeared first on Good News!.

New Survey Shows AdultsAges 50-59 See Value

But Lack Awareness of vaccines

Nearly three quarters(73%) of adults ages 50-59 say it is absolutely essential, extremely important or very important for adults their age to get vaccinated, however, more than one-third of older adults have never heard of or are unfamiliar with the vaccines recommended for their age group. In fact, 36% of adults ages 50-59 think that only high-risk people (e.g., managing chronic conditions, immuno-compromised, etc.) need adult vaccines, when in fact, many vaccines are recommended for most older adults. www.broughtbyvaccines.com/

Now, more than ever before, it is important to fully utilize the vaccines we have to help prevent the spread of disease.

A new data cut of a national survey of 3,000 US adults ages 50-79 and 300 US primary care physicians, found:

Less than half of adults in the US receive most vaccines recommended for them, in part because awareness is low.
More than three-quarters of older adults (76%) describe their current overall health as excellent or good, with a majority (67%) reporting typically seeing a healthcare provider (HCP) at least once a year, but despite this, they still are lacking on vaccine knowledge and vaccination habits.

Most physicians (80%) say getting recommended vaccines is one of the most important things older adults can do to stay healthy. Further, nearly all (96%) agree that talking with patients about the value of vaccines should be a priority for all healthcare providers.
A recommendation from an HCP is the most important factor in motivating older adults (48%) to get their vaccines.

Adults ages 50 and older may need a number of vaccines, based on their age, underlying medical conditions, lifestyle, prior vaccinations, and other considerations, including flu, shingles, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis, pertussis, and tetanus. For all adults, even those who are more health-conscious, more information and discussions with an HCP could play a critical role in improving vaccination and health outcomes.

Vaccines help protect the moments that matter in our lives and are important to help stop the spreadof disease.

Dr. Len Friedland, Vice President, and Director, Scientific Affairs and Public Health, Vaccines at GSK to learn more about the survey results and resources where your audience can learn more about recommended adult vaccines. He will be joined alternately by shingles patient advocate, Alice, who didn’t think shingles she was at risk for shingles until she contracted it at age 57.

Data on file.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccination Coverage Among Adults in the United States, National HealthInterview Survey, 2016. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/adultvaxview/pubs-resources/NHIS-2016.html

The post WHY AREN’T ADULTS GETTING THE VACCINES THEY NEED? appeared first on Good News!.

CURRENT OUTBREAK:
UNDERSTAND YOUR RISK FOR HEPATITIS A
AN INFECTIOUS LIVER DISEASE

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PREVENTABLE DISEASE – FROM SYMPTOMS TO RISK FACTORS – AND THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINATION

Dr. Len Friedland, practicing physician, vaccine researcher and Vice President and Director, Scientific Affairs and Public Health, Vaccines, GSK

BACKGROUND:
October is National Liver Awareness Month, an important time to learn about vaccine-preventable forms of viral hepatitis, including Hepatitis A, a highly-infectious virus that affects the liver and can lead to sickness, hospitalization and even death, in some cases.[i] The US is currently experiencing a nationwide Hepatitis A outbreak, yet awareness and vaccination among adults remains shockingly low (~15%).[ii] After a consistent 20-year downward trend in cases, in 2017, Hepatitis A cases spiked nationwide, with 27 states experiencing active outbreaks in 2020. During this time, there have been more than 34,000 reported cases, with over 61% of infected people hospitalized, and 333 deaths, making it the largest person-to-person Hepatitis A virus outbreak in the postvaccine era.[iii]^,[iv]

DID YOU KNOW?

• Anyone who isn’t vaccinated can be at risk for Hepatitis A as it can be spread person-to-person or through contaminated food or drink.¹
• People with Hepatitis A may not know that they are infected and can transmit the disease to others.¹
• Most people in the US have not been vaccinated for Hepatitis A; creating opportunities for infection and spread. Additionally, more than half of older adults have never heard of or are unfamiliar with a vaccine for Hepatitis A (56%).[v]
• Hepatitis A vaccination isn’t only for higher risk groups or people traveling to certain parts of the world. The general public can come into contact with the virus when traveling even within the US and through contaminated food. For example, where food is prepared and served by food handlers infected with the Hepatitis A virus.¹
• The CDC advises that anyone who wishes to be protected against Hepatitis A speak to their doctor or pharmacist about vaccination. Most commercial plans are required to cover vaccines recommended by the CDC and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Raising awareness about Hepatitis A and vaccination is more important than ever.

• Immunization rates for most vaccines across all age groups have dropped significantly during COVID-19 and adult vaccination rates have dropped by over 80 percent since the peak of the pandemic.[vi] Everyone, not just those at high risk, can talk to their doctor or pharmacist about all vaccine-preventable forms of viral hepatitis and other CDC-recommended vaccines that may be needed during their next well visit. It is important to stay up-to-date on recommended vaccines to prevent unnecessary sickness and hospitalization, especially during the pandemic.[vii]
• For more information, visit CDC.gov/hepatitis/hav.

Good News Planet Hepatitis Q&A

1. If someone has fatty liver, is it even more important to get the vaccination for hepatitis A and hepatitis B?

When living with fatty liver disease, it’s important to prevent any additional sources of potential liver damage. The US Centers for Disease Control and prevention recommends hepatitis A and B vaccination for people living with chronic liver diseases, including fatty liver disease and hepatitis C.¹

1. What is the difference between Hepatitis A and B and how do you recognize it? Is there a different treatment?

Hepatitis A and B are both viruses that affect the liver, and can cause serious illness or even death, but are transmitted in different ways and can cause a different course of illness.¹ Hepatitis A is highly infectious, and is transmitted through person-to-person contact or contaminated food/drink, and usually causes a short-term illness.¹ Hepatitis B is transmitted from mother to child during birth, blood, or through sexual contact, and can cause short or long-term illness, depending on the age of someone when they contract it.[viii] In the current outbreak, Hepatitis A has been associated with a high rate of hospitalization (nationally 60% of cases), with treatment mainly administered to combat unpleasant symptoms.^1,4 Short-term treatment of hepatitis B may be similar, but long-term hepatitis B infections may require ongoing antiviral treatment to manage the virus and prevent liver damage.[ix]

1. Can you get both [Hep A and B] vaccinations the same day and who gives this vaccination?

Hepatitis A and B vaccinations can be administered by a physician or pharmacist and can be given at the same time. The hepatitis A vaccine is a 2-dose vaccine series, for children 1 year of age and older, and adults, that can be completed in 6 months.[x] The hepatitis B vaccine is available in a 2-dose series for adults 18 years of age and older, which can be completed in 1 month, or a 3-dose series for all ages, which can be completed in 6 months.[xi] There is also a hepatitis A and B combination vaccine series available for adults 18 years of age and older, to provide protection against both viruses. While routine infant vaccination has been recommended for hepatitis A since 2006, and hepatitis B since 1991, most adults in the US are not protected against these viruses.[xii]^,[xiii] Nationally, only about 20% of adults 18 years of age and older have received even 1 dose of the hepatitis A vaccine and only about 25% of adults 19 years of age and older have completed the hepatitis B vaccine series.[xiv]^,[xv]

2  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccination coverage among adults

with chronic liver disease. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5805590/pdf/nihms934589.pdf.

3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis A Outbreaks in the United States. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/hepatitisaoutbreaks.htm.

4  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Widespread person-to-person outbreaks of hepatitis A across the United States. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/outbreaks/2017March-HepatitisA.htm.

5 GSK Survey by The Harris Poll. US Awareness Poll-Adults 50-79 years of age and PCPs 18 years. July-August 2020.

6 Medscape. Vaccine Rates for All Ages Drop Dramatically During COVID-19. Available at https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/931913.

7 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccination Guidance During a Pandemic. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pandemic-guidance/index.html.

8 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis B Questions and Answers for the Public. Accessed at: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm.

9 Mayo Clinic. Hepatitis B. Accessed at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-b/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20366821.

10 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis A VIS. Accessed at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/hep-a.html#:~:text=Children%20need%202%20doses%20of,months%20after%20the%20first%20dose.

11 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Accessed at: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/rr/rr6701a1.htm.

12 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis A Vaccination Coverage Among U.S. Children Aged 12–23 Months — Immunization Information System Sentinel Sites, 2006—2009. Accessed at: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5925a3.htm?s_cid=mm5925a3_w.

13 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule — United States, 1995. Accessed at: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00038256.htm

14 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccination Coverage Among Adults in the United States, National Health Interview Survey, 2016. Accessed at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/adultvaxview/pubs-resources/NHIS-2016.html.

15 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccination Coverage among Adults in the United States, National Health Interview Survey, 2017. Accessed at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/adultvaxview/pubs-resources/NHIS-2017.html.

#hepatitis #october #liver #awareness #len #friedland #physician #vaccine #researcher #president #director #scientific #affairs #public #health #vaccines #gsk #covid #covid19 #covid-19 #symptoms #risk #factors #disease #cdc #virus #vaccination #infected #hospital #sick #pandemic

The post **October is National Liver Awareness Month** appeared first on Good News!.

New survey shows older adults see value but lack awareness about specific CDC-recommended vaccines

Less than half of adults in the US receive most vaccines recommended for them, in part because awareness is low. Since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic and public health measures to slow the spread of the disease in the US, adult immunization rates have further declined. Ordering rates across adult vaccines among healthcare practices have dropped an average of 62 percent.

Most illnesses, hospitalizations, disability and deaths from vaccine-preventable illnesses occur among adults. An estimated average of 50,000 Americans die of vaccine-preventable diseases each year – with adults, and especially older adults, disproportionally impacted. Thousands more suffer serious health problems that could have been prevented with recommended immunizations.

Now, more than ever before, it is important to fully utilize the vaccines we do have to prevent the spread of disease. A national survey of 3,000 US adults ages 50-79 and 300 US primary care physicians, conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of GSK, found:
• Most physicians say that getting recommended vaccines is one of the most important things older adults can do to stay healthy
• Most adults ages 50-79 say vaccines are important to maintain their health, but many have never heard of or are unfamiliar with specific vaccines recommended for their age group
• The COVID-19 pandemic has increased awareness among adults about the importance of vaccination and made some more likely to get at least one of the recommended vaccines for adults
• Most adults in this age group say they need more information about vaccines

Adults ages 50 and older may need a number of vaccines, based on their age, underlying medical conditions, lifestyle, prior vaccinations, and other considerations. Recommended adult vaccines protect against diseases like flu, shingles, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis, pertussis and tetanus. The US spends about $26.5 billion annually treating four major vaccine-preventable diseases (influenza, pneumococcal disease, shingles, and pertussis) among US adults 50 years and older.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about all CDC-recommended vaccines needed that you may have missed during recent stay-at-home orders. For more information, visit www.broughtbyvaccines.com.

Dr. Len Friedland, Vice President and Director, Scientific Affairs and Public Health, Vaccines, GSK to learn more about the survey results and resources where your audience can learn more about CDC recommended adult vaccines. He will be joined alternately by [CONFIRM FLU PATIENT] who lost [LOVED ONE] to flu and [CONFIRM SHINGLES PATIENT], who experienced shingles.

For more information go to www.broughtbyvaccines.com

MORE ABOUT DR. LEN FRIEDLAND:
Dr. Len Friedland is Vice President and Director, Scientific Affairs and Public Health, Vaccines, at GSK. He is also a licensed pediatrician in the state of Pennsylvania. Dr. Friedland has held many positions in clinical research and development with GSK since 2003, specializing in infectious disease vaccination. Prior to his work at GSK, Dr. Friedland was Division Chief, Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Temple University School of Medicine. Dr. Friedland studied medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and conducted his residency in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and his fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, also in Philadelphia. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the past Alternate Industry Representative to the FDA Vaccines and Related Biologics Product Advisory Committee, the current Alternate Industry Representative to the FDA Allergenic Products Advisory Committee and the Industry Representative Member on the Department of Health and Human Services National Vaccine Advisory Committee. He has published over 50 peer reviewed articles as well as book chapters on healthcare and vaccination topics during his career.

The post Historically low adult vaccination rates in further decline due to pandemic appeared first on Good News!.

Please send this to some of you mailing list friends.

Help save lives…

CHAIRS
Lenore Cooney
Sara Herbert-Galloway
Errol Rappaport
Gary Springer

HONORARY CHAIRS
Ambassador and Mrs. John L. Loeb, Jr.
Heather Randall
Liv Ullmann and Donald Saunders
Nick Springer

HONORARY COMMITTEE
Iris Apfel
Michael Badalucco
Susan and Hon. James A. Baker III
Deion Branch
Steve Buscemi
Victor Calise
Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office
for People with Disabilities
U.S. Senator Susan Collins
Darius de Haas
Roque de la Fuente
Jamie de Roy
Judy and Rod Gilbert
Adam Graves
Lynn Grossman and Bob Balaban
State Senator Jack Hart, Ret.
Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy
Helen and Michael Kaplan
Lainie Kazan
Amy Madigan and Ed Harris
Michael H. Michaud
Assistant Secretary,
U.S. Department of Labor
James Naughton
Kyle Rudy
Susan Sarandon
Richard Thomas

BENEFIT COMMITTEE
Jeri Acosta
Chuck Armstrong
Tomaczek Bednarek
Lynn and Alan Bozof
Joyce Brooks
Lori and Curt Buher
Lorraine Cancro-Silvetz and
Robert Silvetz, MD
Elizabeth Cier
Rita Cosby
Mark Evangelista
Nicole and Jeff Fratarcangeli
Jeri Brooks Greenwell
Jonathan Hadaya
Paul Hampton
Laurie and Ken Hartwig
Charlotte and Harvey Hodges
Lucia Hwong-Gordon
Susan James
Marcie L. Kammel
Barry J. Klarberg
Marian Koltai-Levine and Dan Levine
Donna and Michael LaForgia
Lucy Jane Lang
Barbara Ligeti and Jeffrey Altshuler
Kelly and Paul Lountzis
Annie Ma
Leslie Maier

Cindy Marinangel
Kevin McGovern
Sherri Michelstein
Esther Muller
Rey Olsen
Susan and Peter Purdy
Joe Sirola
Jennifer and Ricky Sitomer
Gary Swanson
Joe Trentacosta

ASSOCIATES COMMITTEE
Samantha Bennett
Anna and Carl Buher
Alana Galloway
Justin Galloway
Gunjan Goel
Allie and Matt Klarberg
Kate and Jake Klarberg
Nikki Klarberg
Ryan Klarberg
Sorcha McCrohan
Dell Miller
Andrew Molen
Jorel Roth
Brooke and Lee Scharfstein
Gary Schneider
Jason Werner

MEDICAL COMMITTEE

Richard Besser, MD
President and CEO
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Paul J. Lee, MD
Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center
South Nassau Communities Hospital

Paul A. Offit, MD
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

William Schaffner, MD
Department of Preventive Medicine
Vanderbilt University

Steven E. Schutzer, MD
Professor of Medicine
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Nancy Snyderman, MD
Professor of Global Health
Stanford University

James C. Turner, MD
National Social Norms Institute
University of Virginia

Roger W. Yurt, MD
NY Presbyterian Hospital
Weill Cornell Medical Center

As of April 1, 2018
National Meningitis Association

NMA works to protect families from the devastating effects of meningococcal disease by educating the public, medical professionals and others about the disease and vaccines available to prevent it. NMA was formed in 2002 by parents whose children died or live with permanent disabilities from meningococcal disease. Like many families, NMA’s founders were unaware that meningococcal disease vaccination could have prevented their anguish. Since NMA was founded, great strides have been made in meningitis prevention. NMA has supported the creation of broad recommendations for meningococcal vaccines to protect all preteens and teens, worked to advocate for state vaccination requirements, and helped increase awareness and vaccine uptake. The organization also provides emotional support for individuals and families who have experienced meningococcal disease.

To accomplish its goals, NMA develops programs and resources that reach audiences on national and grassroots levels. Parents, disease survivors and other family members help carry out NMA’s mission by conducting community awareness activities across the country through two key programs: Moms on Meningitis (M.O.M.s) and Together Educating About Meningitis (T.E.A.M.). For disease and prevention information, downloadable resources and personal stories from M.O.M.s and T.E.A.M. members, please visit nmaus.org.

Lynn Bozof, President • Lori Buher, Director • Leslie Maier, Secretary/Treasurer

For more information or to purchase tickets,
please contact Heather Prochorchik 212.874.5457
or HeatherProchorchik@BellEvents.com

The post The 10th Annual National Meningitis Association Gala Celebration appeared first on Good News!.