PRESS RELEASE
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CONTACT
Hanan Bedri, MS, MA Executive Director New Hampshire Public Health Association Phone: 603.228.2983 Email: hbedri@nhpha.org |
New Statewide Campaign to Address Drop in Vaccination and Other Preventative Services for AdolescentsVaccination Starts With You Encourages Adolescent Wellness Visits and Vaccinations
CONCORD, N.H., August 9, 2022 (Newswire.com) - The New Hampshire Public Health Association's VaxWell NH, in collaboration with the New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services, announced the launch of Vaccination Starts with You, a campaign designed to improve adolescents' wellness vaccination visits. In the past two years, there has been a marked drop in vaccination and other preventative services, leaving children and adolescents at greater risk for vaccine-preventable diseases. All age cohorts have seen a decrease in wellness visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, with adolescent age cohorts most impacted. As the impact of the pandemic continues, focused efforts on maintaining recommended vaccinations while recovering missing vaccinations are critical. Summer is a perfect time to catch up on wellness visits and vaccinations, and everyone can help make that happen. According to the NHPHA Executive Director, Hanan Bedri, "The campaign brings together a wide range of stakeholders, including healthcare providers, school nurses, community health workers, and other key influencers, to remind families that summer is a perfect time to catch up on wellness vaccination visits so that their children and teens don't miss out on school and other activities this coming fall." "Teens' health needs to change with their bodies in large and small ways, and getting teens vaccinated against infectious diseases can help them from getting sick and missing out on the important milestones in their life. Parents and caregivers can do their part by talking with their teen's healthcare provider about which vaccines are right for their growing adolescents," said the Director of the New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services, Patricia M. Tilley. The campaign includes outreach to stakeholders, adolescents, and their families through email, posters, and social media. Download your campaign poster today by visiting www.vaxwellnh.org/campaigns. For more information about VaxWell NH, please visit www.vaxwellnh.org. About VaxWell New Hampshire VaxWell New Hampshire is a statewide coalition working to reduce vaccine-preventable disease by increasing immunization rates. VaxWell NH is an initiative of the NHPHA. About the New Hampshire Public Health Association The New Hampshire Public Health Association (NHPHA) is a statewide non-profit public health membership association founded in 1992. The NHPHA is an affiliate of the American Public Health Association (APHA). NHPHA is the leading, trusted New Hampshire public health voice that empowers public health members and communities to achieve a healthier New Hampshire. # # # Press Release Link: New Statewide Campaign to Address Drop in Vaccination and Other Preventative Services for Adolescents | Newswire |
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CONTACT
Hanan Bedri, MS, MA Executive Director New Hampshire Public Health Association Phone: 603.228.2983 Email: hbedri@nhpha.org |
Skip the Flu, NOT the Vaccine CampaignCDC reports higher hospitalization rates earlier than usual
Concord, February 24, 2023 – In response to higher than usual rates of flu cases and hospitalizations, The New Hampshire Public Health Association (NHPHA), in collaboration with Families Fighting the Flu, has launched a new campaign focusing on flu prevention. In line with the nation’s emphasis on preventive measures, NHPHA’s new campaign, “Skip the flu, not the vaccine,” reminds Granite Staters that the flu shot remains the most effective way to prevent influenza infection and its potential health complications. It highlights the recommendation that people ages 65 and older talk with their doctors or pharmacists about receiving stronger flu vaccines since their immune systems might not respond as well to regular flu immunizations. Other population groups at risk include young children, pregnant people, and people with certain chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, lung disease and heart disease. In these cases, the flu vaccine is especially important to reduce the risk of any serious symptoms or complications. Vaccination is also important for health care professionals and workers in long-term care facilities, to prevent them from spreading influenza to the vulnerable communities with whom they work. According to Hanan Bedri, NHPHA executive director, “this campaign will help make Granite Staters aware of the best ways to protect themselves and their families this flu season. Unlike the past two years when flu rates were historically low, we are currently seeing a particularly severe flu season and want to stress the importance of preventing influenza infections this flu season.” This year, flu vaccines distributed in the United States are quadrivalent, meaning that they guard against four different flu strains, with the most common ones being influenza A and B. In addition to getting the yearly vaccine, there are other ways to fight flu, including avoiding contact with people who are sick, staying home if you are sick, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and washing your hands frequently. Additionally, another desired effect of curbing flu complications and hospitalizations is to relieve the strain on our hospitals and health care systems. If communities work toward prevention and vaccination with health campaigns such as NHPHA’s, we can reduce the number of individuals with flu so that we do not overwhelm our hospitals and health care system. Influenza vaccination is available at health care provider offices, local pharmacies, urgent care centers, and local VNA/home health community clinics across New Hampshire. Although the general recommendation is to get the vaccine in the early fall, flu immunizations will still be effective as long as flu viruses are circulating, regardless of when you get them. For more information about influenza, including symptoms, prevention, treatment, and flu activity, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/ 1(16.7%) --- About NHPHA The NHPHA is a statewide, nonprofit public health membership association founded in 1992. The NHPHA is an affiliate of the American Public Health Association. NHPHA is the leading, trusted New Hampshire public health voice that empowers public health members and communities to achieve a healthier New Hampshire. |