Explore

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Where to get a flu shot in the Finger Lakes this fall

Where to get a flu shot in the Finger Lakes this fall

Thompson Health is hosting six flu shot clinics across the Finger Lakes region starting in mid September.

University of Alabama Launches 15th Annual Free Flu Shot Campaign for Campus Community

University of Alabama Launches 15th Annual Free Flu Shot Campaign for Campus Community

The University of Alabama has initiated its 15th annual Flu Shot Campaign, providing free flu vaccinations to students, faculty, and staff across campus through mid-November. This initiative, led by UA’s College of Community Health Sciences, aims to protect the campus community from influenza. Pop-up clinics are being established in various locations, including near the Quad, university buildings, and student residence halls, to maximize accessibility. Importantly, individuals do not need health insurance to receive a vaccination. Dr. Tom Weida, chief medical officer for University Medical Center, emphasized that vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and flu transmission. The campaign also extends to retired UA faculty and staff, their spouses, and dependents of university employees, with specific provisions for children with UA health insurance or those whose non-UA insurance covers nurse practitioner services.

American Academy of Family Physicians Issues Fall Immunization Recommendations for COVID-19, RSV, and Influenza

American Academy of Family Physicians Issues Fall Immunization Recommendations for COVID-19, RSV, and Influenza

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), in coordination with other leading medical organizations, has released its fall immunization recommendations. These guidelines provide evidence-based advice for physicians and patients regarding vaccines for COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza. The AAFP emphasizes that vaccines are crucial for preventing serious illness, reducing hospitalizations, and saving lives, despite evolving federal guidance. For COVID-19, the AAFP recommends vaccination for all adults 19 and older, with a second updated dose for those 65 and older six months after the initial dose. They also recommend COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6-23 months and a risk-based single dose for those aged 2-18 years, aligning with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pregnant patients are advised to receive COVID-19 vaccination during any trimester. For RSV, the AAFP supports CDC guidance for a one-time vaccine for adults 75 and older, and for those aged 50-74 at increase...

Detroit Free Press

Your guide to fall vaccines. What's new with flu, COVID-19 and RSV

Your guide to fall vaccines. What's new with flu, COVID-19 and RSV

With changes and confusion on federal vaccine guidelines, national medical groups align on recommendations for COVID-19, RSV, and flu vaccines.

Dr. Richard J. Hatchett Advocates for Reimagined Vaccine Development and Pandemic Preparedness

Dr. Richard J. Hatchett Advocates for Reimagined Vaccine Development and Pandemic Preparedness

Dr. Richard J. Hatchett, CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and recipient of the 2026 NFID Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award, emphasized the need to reimagine vaccine development and pandemic preparedness. In a discussion with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), Dr. Hatchett highlighted the '100 Days Mission,' an initiative aiming to compress vaccine development timelines to within 100 days of identifying a new pathogen. He stressed that epidemic and pandemic diseases are not 'black swans' but rather a product of the environment and world humans have created, viewing them as a fundamental security problem. Dr. Hatchett also underscored the critical importance of robust disease surveillance capabilities, noting that underinvestment in these areas can lead to delayed detection and larger outbreaks, as seen with the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He advocates for systemic institutional commitments and sustained p...

Houston Health Museum Launches 'Call Me Mother' Exhibition to Address Black Maternal Health Disparities

Houston Health Museum Launches 'Call Me Mother' Exhibition to Address Black Maternal Health Disparities

The Health Museum in Houston is set to debut an immersive exhibition titled 'Call Me Mother' on October 4. This exhibition aims to bring the critical issue of Black maternal health into public conversation through art, poetry, and personal stories. Curated by Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, Houston’s first Black poet laureate, the project draws inspiration from her personal experience with miscarriage. The exhibition will feature a diverse collection of works, including poetry, film, performance, sculpture, and original paintings by nationally and internationally recognized artists such as Omari Maynard, Stacey Allen, and Keda Sharber. These works reflect personal experiences related to maternal and reproductive health, including infant loss, fibroids, and birth complications. The initiative seeks to move beyond statistics by humanizing the experiences of Black mothers and families navigating pregnancy, loss, birth complications, and healing.

U.S. Announces $2 Billion Funding for Global Health and Humanitarian Aid Through Faith-Based Partnerships

U.S. Announces $2 Billion Funding for Global Health and Humanitarian Aid Through Faith-Based Partnerships

In early August, the United States government committed $2 billion in new funding to support global health and humanitarian assistance initiatives. This significant financial allocation will be channeled through partnerships with U.S. faith-based organizations. The awards are specifically designed to bolster local, faith-based health networks in various countries, irrespective of whether these nations have formal agreements with the U.S. government under the America First Global Health Strategy. This new funding is distinct from the nearly $14.3 billion in U.S. funding already distributed to countries via memoranda of understanding (MOUs) established under the Global Health Strategy. The specific countries that will benefit from this additional $2 billion have not yet been publicly disclosed, and it is anticipated that some beneficiaries may already have bilateral agreements with the U.S., while others may not. The funding is broken down into three specific categories: $850 million for the Faith and Commun...

U.S. CDC Data Highlights High Influenza Risk for Older Adults Globally

U.S. CDC Data Highlights High Influenza Risk for Older Adults Globally

Seasonal influenza is a significant global health concern, often underestimated and mistaken for the common cold, despite causing up to 650,000 respiratory deaths worldwide annually. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data indicates that adults aged 65 and older are particularly vulnerable, accounting for up to 70% of influenza-related hospitalizations and up to 85% of influenza-associated deaths. Beyond primary respiratory illness, influenza can trigger severe complications across multiple organ systems, including a 10-fold increase in heart attack risk, a 24% rise in heart failure hospitalizations, and an eight-fold increase in stroke risk. These underlying conditions, prevalent in older populations, can escalate an ordinary flu bout into a life-threatening health crisis requiring hospitalization. Experts emphasize the need for stronger influenza protection for older adults, especially given the global burden of the disease.

Lake of the Ozarks Residents Address Local Healthcare Access Following Overseas Missions

Lake of the Ozarks Residents Address Local Healthcare Access Following Overseas Missions

A group of residents from Lake of the Ozarks, who have been participating in annual overseas medical mission trips since 2000, identified a critical need for healthcare access within their own community. During one of these international missions, volunteers recognized that many individuals in their home area faced significant barriers to obtaining necessary medical care due to low incomes and a lack of health insurance. This realization prompted a shift in focus, highlighting the disparities in healthcare availability not just abroad, but also domestically. The Medical Missions for Christ Clinic, with representatives Krista Carter and Tammie Hill, is actively discussing volunteer opportunities to address these local healthcare challenges. The initiative underscores a growing awareness among community volunteers about the importance of addressing local needs alongside international efforts.

Top US doctors offer updated flu and COVID vaccine recommendations, aiming to ease confusion

Top US doctors offer updated flu and COVID vaccine recommendations, aiming to ease confusion

Leading U.S. medical groups are urging people to get updated flu and COVID-19 vaccinations this fall

Rep. Kim Schrier Criticizes RFK Jr. for Increased Refusal of Newborn Vitamin K Shots

Rep. Kim Schrier Criticizes RFK Jr. for Increased Refusal of Newborn Vitamin K Shots

Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), a pediatrician and the first doctor elected to Congress, has publicly criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for contributing to a growing distrust in vitamin K shots for newborns. According to a press release from her office, Schrier stated that Kennedy's spread of misinformation has led to parents refusing the essential vitamin K shot and other routine care, putting infants at risk of deadly brain bleeds. She termed this phenomenon the 'RFK Jr. Spillover Effect.' Data from Truveta, a health and data analytics company, indicates a 57.4% increase in vitamin K shot refusals in the first half of the year, with 8.1% of births not having documented receipt of the shot by June. The CDC emphasizes that a single vitamin K shot at birth protects babies from dangerous bleeding, which can lead to brain damage or death, making babies 81 times more likely to experience life-threatening bleeding without it. In July, Schrier, alongside Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), called on public health officia...

Nevada County Launches Compost Rebate Program for Farmers and Ranchers

Nevada County Launches Compost Rebate Program for Farmers and Ranchers

Nevada County has initiated the Compost Connector Program, offering rebates to local farmers and ranchers for purchasing compost. This program is a collaborative effort between the County’s Solid Waste Division and Zero Foodprint, a California non-profit dedicated to climate-friendly food production. Eligible agricultural producers can receive rebates of up to $14 per ton for compost acquired from an approved supplier list. The program requires a minimum purchase of five tons of compost, and rebates are disbursed after Zero Foodprint verifies the delivery and application of the compost. This initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on the agricultural community, particularly concerning the high hauling costs associated with compost, as most suppliers are located in the Sacramento Valley. The program is part of Nevada County's efforts to meet the requirements of SB1383, a state mandate for local jurisdictions to procure recovered organic waste products.