Back to school finds children with new schools, new teachers and new friends. Respiratory illnesses also find an easy route from one child to the next as children learn and play together.
Parents and schools look to public health and medical offices to help decrease sickness. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is stepping it up with a new national awareness campaign on viruses and vaccines.
The campaign is called “Risk Less. Do More.” The goal is increase confidence in vaccines by educating and increasing public awareness about prevention and knowledge of common viral respiratory infections. HHS hopes to reduce serious illness and deaths from influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, especially in high-risk people.
These diseases usually surge during the fall and winter months. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra stated, “Vaccines for COVID-19, flu and RSV have helped to save millions of lives, keep countless people out the hospital and provided peace of mind for the country.”
This week the FDA approved and granted emergency use authorization for updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines that targets the current circulating variants. Vaccination for COVID continues to be the best prevention. There are clear and specific guidelines based on age and previous vaccination status spelled out at fda.gov, or speak to your provider or pharmacy.
There has been a summer surge of COVID that appears to be continuing into the fall. Long COVID persists and is a heavy burden on individuals and the health care system. The CDC and FDA strongly encourage those eligible to receive the updated vaccine along with the flu vaccine.
The campaign will deliver research-based information through TV, radio, print, social and digital media. HHS will partner with state and local health departments, state, national and community organizations to ensure access for all. For more information, please visit RiskLessDoMore.hhs.gov.
Send your children off to school with updated vaccines, boxes of tissues and hand sanitizer. Teach them to cover their mouth with their elbow when they cough or sneeze, blow their nose and wipe it when necessary, wash their hands, stay home when sick and mask when appropriate. The end of summer welcomes in a new year of learning.
Take care of yourself and someone else.
Juanita Carnes is a Westfield resident and a nurse practitioner with 38 years of experience in a hospital emergency department and urgent care facilities. She served 30 years on the Westfield Board of Health.
