The United States could be approaching herd immunity, which occurs when enough people become immune to a disease to make its spread unlikely, according to Suzanne Judd, Ph.D., an epidemiologist in the School of Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Based on the number of vaccinations that have already been administered, as… Continue reading COVID-19 and Herd Immunity
Tag: vaccination
The Flu You Should Guard Against (Besides COVID-19)
These days, most of us are preoccupied with the need for a COVID-19 vaccine. But we should pay attention to other vaccines as well. Here, from the Centers of Disease Control, are some common questions and answers: What flu vaccines are recommended for the coming season? For the 2020-2021 flu season, providers may choose to… Continue reading The Flu You Should Guard Against (Besides COVID-19)
Flu Shot Protects Against Heart Failure: Study
Among its other health benefits, an annual flu short can save heart failure patients’ lives. Flu season usually begins in fall and runs through spring, with cases often peaking during the winter months. An annual flu shot is regarded as a safe, low-cost way to reduce flu-related deaths and complications. It’s routinely recommended for patients… Continue reading Flu Shot Protects Against Heart Failure: Study
Avoid the Flu During Holiday Travel
If you’ve ever traveled during the holidays, you know how stressful it is. Last year an estimated 107.3 million travelers hit the road between Dec. 23 and Jan. 1, and there’s no reason to think this year will be different. And crowds like that mean you’ve got a really good chance of getting the flu… Continue reading Avoid the Flu During Holiday Travel
What You Should Know about the Shingles Vaccine
Shingles vaccination is the only way to protect against shingles, an acute inflammation of the nerves characterized by skin eruptions. Shingles, which often encircles the waist, is caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox. One of the most common complications from shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a burning sensation that lasts long… Continue reading What You Should Know about the Shingles Vaccine
More than Half of Eligible U.S. Travelers Don’t Get Measles Immunization
A study led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators found that 53 percent of people seeking pre-travel consultations at clinics across the country who were eligible to receive the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine were not vaccinated during the clinic visit. The research team also documents reasons why patients were not vaccinated and recommends ways… Continue reading More than Half of Eligible U.S. Travelers Don’t Get Measles Immunization
Get Set for A Healthy Winter
Although contagious viruses are active year-round, we’re most vulnerable to them in fall and winter. That’s because, in large part, we spend more time indoors with other people when the weather gets cold. Fortunately, you can fight back with several FDA-approved medicines and vaccines. Colds and Flu Most respiratory bugs come and go within a… Continue reading Get Set for A Healthy Winter
Statins May Negatively Affect Vaccination
New research indicates that cholesterol-reducing drugs could have a detrimental effect on a person’s response to a flu vaccine, and may even affect the vaccine’s effectiveness. A new pair of studies, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, may have implications for flu vaccine recommendations, guidelines for statin use around the time of vaccination, and… Continue reading Statins May Negatively Affect Vaccination
What Vaccinations Should You Get?
As we get older, it’s more important than ever to keep up with the immunization shots we need. Here, from the federal Centers for Disease Control and the SeniorHealth division of the National Institutes of Health, is a helpful list for adults 50 and over: An annual flu shot. Over 60 percent of seasonal flu-related… Continue reading What Vaccinations Should You Get?
Winning the Vaccination Debate
Instead of arguing with someone who doesn’t believe in vaccinations, it’s better to focus on reminding them of their child’s well-being, a study shows. The researchers report their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The widespread fear that vaccines causes autism began in 1998, when The Lancet medical journal published a… Continue reading Winning the Vaccination Debate
What You Should Know for the 2014-2015 Influenza Season
Editor’s note: Although the Ebola crisis has dominated the news recently, here at ThirdAge.com we don’t want you to lose sight of the fact the current flu season is here. The CDC offers the following information and advice about protecting yourself and your loved ones. What sort of flu season is expected this year? It’s… Continue reading What You Should Know for the 2014-2015 Influenza Season