We’re kicking of National Infant Immunization Week this week and are excited to recognize the healthcare providers, public health workers, and parents who protect our babies and communities from preventable diseases through vaccination. Without these immunization champions, our Arizona communities would be at a much greater risk of infectious disease outbreaks. Last week, we celebrated [...]
As we kick off our annual Immunization Conference this week, we have some exciting news to share. The proportion of children exempt from vaccines in Arizona continues to decrease slightly compared to last year. Every year, state and local public health staff work with schools to gather immunization and coverage reports for children enrolled in [...]
A healthcare provider's strong recommendation for vaccination has an enormous influence on whether patients of all ages receive recommended vaccines and the protection against dangerous diseases that these vaccines give. At ADHS, we implement many strategies to support the healthcare providers who provide community protection through vaccination. Staff in our Assessment, Feedback, Incentive, and eXchange [...]
I know that some of you out there are going to attend the Winter Olympics - so I put together the blog post below over the weekend for folks that might be going. Here goes in case you’re interested: Let’s start with the good news first- then the health tips… Sochi Games to be Smoke Free- Russians [...]
Every so often- you run into a resource guide that stands above the rest. I discovered one of those awhile back called the Guide to Community Preventive Services – and it’s a free resource to help you choose programs and policies to improve health and prevent disease in communities. The easy-to-read resource guide answers questions [...]
The CDC's “Strategic National Stockpile” is a large quantity of medicine and medical supplies that are available to states in case there’s a public health emergency (flu outbreak, asteroid, etc.) severe enough to cause local health supplies to run out. Once federal and local authorities agree that the stockpile is needed, meds and supplies are [...]
The next 2 years will be a time of transition for how vaccines are delivered and paid for in the US- as national policy shifts to the new order under the Affordable Care Act. In the short-term there'll be some transition challenges- but in the long run- it should be easier to keep up our vaccination rates. In [...]
Every so often- you run into a resource guide that stands above the rest. I discovered one of those a couple of weeks ago when I was at a conference with the people in my job from around the country. It’s called the Guide to Community Preventive Services – and it’s a free resource to [...]
Pretty much everybody knows that getting an annual influenza vaccine protects them from getting influenza- but fewer people realize that getting vaccinated saves other people’s lives as well. That’s because if a large percentage of the population takes advantage of the vaccine (called herd immunity) we can reduce the overall spread of the disease- and save [...]
I left out one new law in my post a couple of weeks ago on the New Laws Related to Our Mission. SB 1298 allows a licensed pharmacist to give a flu vaccine to kids between 6 and 18 years old without a prescription. The new law also lets pharmacists administer other vaccines in a [...]
