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State’s health chief urges parents to get kids vaccinated against measles
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS A highly contagious childhood disease that was declared eliminated in the United States in the year 2000 is making a comeback, largely driven by a declining vaccination rate in the country. “Unfortunately, as the measles vaccination rate has decreased, it’s just one of those things where folks are opting…
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This looks like the year for an epidemic of measles, the most contagious disease, which can be deadly but is very preventable
BY KATELYN JETELINAYOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST Yesterday I got a Google news alert: “Measles.” Yes, measles. In the 21st century. At the height of winter. Measles typically spreads in spring. What’s going on? Two active and unrelated measles outbreaks among unvaccinated people: Philadelphia and New Jersey A Delaware children’s hospital on alert after an unvaccinated patient…
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State reports two children have died, one from flu and one from COVID-19, but hospital visits show first decline in months
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS As the state reported the first two deaths of children from COVID-19 and influenza, Kentucky saw the first drops in emergency-room visits and hospital admissions for the diseases in more than three months. The weekly respiratory-illness update from the state Department for Public Health showed a 21% drop in…
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Fall is vaccine season: COVID-19, flu, RSV
KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are circulating, so the vaccine season is upon us. To get the maximum protection, start with a game plan. “Doctors generally suggest getting your flu and COVID shots before the end of October and say it’s OK to get both those shots at the same…
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New vaccines for COVID-19, flu, RSV expected to curb ever-mutating respiratory viruses
KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS Americans will have access to several vaccines this fall to protect them against respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but effectively deploying them is expected to be challenging and confusing. With the latest major mutation of the COVID-19 virus, “We have to have a lot of humility .…
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It’s time for back-to-school vaccinations
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS With just a few weeks left before school starts, it’s time to make sure your school-aged children are up-to-date on their required immunizations. It’s especially important because Kentucky’s children fell behind on their immunizations during the pandemic, and many of them still haven’t caught up. “Kentucky is really low…
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Unvaccinated attendee of big revival has state’s third case of measles in three months
Kentucky ranks very low in measles vaccinations KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS An unvaccinated Jessamine County resident who attended the large, spontaneous revival at Asbury University has Kentucky’s third reported case of measles in three months, the state Department for Public Health said Friday. “Anyone who attended the revival on Feb. 18 may have been exposed to…
Tag: Immunizations
