Tag

Vaccination Coverage

All articles tagged with #vaccination coverage

health1 year ago

"MMR Vaccine Uptake Falls Below Safe Target for Third Year, Putting 250,000 Kindergarteners at Risk"

MMR vaccine coverage in the US has fallen below the safe target for the third consecutive year, leaving approximately 250,000 kindergarteners at risk of measles infection. A recent CDC report shows a 93.1% coverage rate during the 2022–23 school year, below the 95% national target. Exemptions from school shots have also reached a record high in ten states. The recent outbreak in South Florida has seen six children test positive for measles, prompting concerns about local transmission and the need for immediate public health intervention. Measles, a highly contagious virus, can be prevented by two doses of the MMR vaccine, but vaccination rates have been declining, potentially exacerbated by missed vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

health2 years ago

"University Health shares respiratory disease rates as CDC warns of low immunizations and urgent need for vaccinations"

University Health officials in San Antonio have reported an increase in respiratory illness cases, coinciding with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) warning about low immunization rates. The CDC is concerned that the combination of low vaccination rates and rising respiratory diseases like COVID-19 and RSV could strain the healthcare system. The CDC advises healthcare providers to administer influenza, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations, especially to high-risk patients. University Health data shows a rise in flu and COVID-19 rates, while RSV rates have slightly decreased. The CDC also highlights the importance of routine prevention measures and recommends discussing recommended immunizations with healthcare providers.

healthcare2 years ago

Wake Grandmother Claims Medicaid Changes Increased COVID-19 Vaccine Cost to $190

A grandmother in Wake County, North Carolina, was shocked when she was told she had to pay $190.99 per child for the latest COVID-19 vaccine at a local pharmacy, despite having Medicaid coverage. The pharmacy informed her that Medicaid no longer covers the vaccine for children and that they must be 19 or older to receive coverage. The grandmother expressed concern for her grandchildren's safety, especially with the recent surge in respiratory viruses among children. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services stated that children with Medicaid can receive the vaccine for free at local health departments or Vaccines for Children Program-enrolled providers, but pharmacies are currently not part of the program.

healthcare2 years ago

Grandmother's Shocking Revelation: Medicaid Changes Cause COVID-19 Vaccine Price Surge

A grandmother in Wake County, North Carolina, was shocked when she was told she had to pay $190.99 per child for the latest COVID-19 vaccine at a local pharmacy, despite having Medicaid coverage. The pharmacy informed her that Medicaid no longer covers the vaccine for children, and they must be 19 or older to be eligible. The grandmother expressed concern for her grandchildren's safety, especially with the recent surge in respiratory viruses among children. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services stated that children with Medicaid can receive the vaccine for free at local health departments or Vaccines for Children Program-enrolled providers, but pharmacies are currently not part of the program.

health2 years ago

Declining COVID and Flu Vaccine Rates Among US Health Care Workers: A Disturbing Trend

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a decline in COVID-19 and flu vaccination rates among U.S. health care workers. According to the CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network data, flu vaccine coverage was 81% among hospital employees and 47.1% among nursing home workers. COVID vaccine coverage was only 7.2% at hospitals and 22.8% at nursing homes. The decline in vaccination rates is concerning, and the CDC emphasizes the need for evidence-based strategies to improve vaccination coverage among health care personnel. Factors contributing to the decline include fear, politicization, and misunderstanding of vaccines. Health care workers have a higher duty to be vaccinated to protect themselves and their patients.

health2 years ago

Record High: US Kindergartners' Vaccination Exemptions Soar, CDC Reports

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that a record number of American kindergarten students started school last year with exemptions from required vaccines, with vaccination coverage remaining lower than pre-pandemic levels. The report found that vaccination exemptions increased to 3% of kindergarten students, the highest rate ever reported in the country, and the majority of these exemptions were not for medical reasons. While the report did not determine the exact reasons for the increase in nonmedical exemptions, it comes at a time when vaccine hesitancy remains high, potentially influenced by anti-vaccine activists during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC emphasizes the importance of ensuring children are fully vaccinated to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases.

health2 years ago

"Study Reveals Alarming Number of Toddlers Falling Behind on Vaccinations"

A study published in Pediatrics reveals that one in six toddlers in the United States have not completed their childhood vaccine series, leaving them vulnerable to serious diseases. The research, based on data from over 16,000 children, found that only 72.9% of toddlers completed the combined 7-vaccine series, while 17.2% initiated but did not complete the series. Additionally, 1.1% of children were completely unvaccinated, and 9.9% had not initiated one or more of the recommended vaccinations. Factors contributing to incomplete vaccination include logistical and structural barriers, such as moving across state lines, lack of health insurance, and irregular childcare. Vaccine hesitancy also plays a role. The study highlights the need for improved vaccine education, reminder systems, and access to immunization providers to increase vaccination rates and protect public health.