The Upshot: Addressing Vaccine Misinformation and Building Vaccine Confidence in Your Community, 2022-2023 Flu Season and more

Texas Health and Human Services Commission sent this bulletin at 10/25/2022 02:00 PM CDT / Este e-mail ha sido enviado por Texas Health and Human Services Commission el 10/25/2022 02:00 PM CDT

2022-2023 Flu Season

The CDC is continuing to recommend the flu vaccine for all eligible people above 6 months of age for the 2022-2023 flu season. The recommendation has been updated for those 65 and older, resulting in a preferential recommendation of a higher dose versus a standard dose for this age group. More here.

Improving Health Literacy

Improving your health literacy can increase your life expectancy and quality of life. Health Literacy is an individual’s accessibility to local resources that empower overall health understanding and actionable health advice.

Individuals can improve their health literacy by understanding the unique social determinants of health that impact their lives, evaluating their access to health resources, and learning what local resources are available to them. More here.

Back-To-School Immunizations Requirements/FAQs

School is officially in full swing. As we approach the winter months, parents should begin to consider not only the required vaccinations their child will need for in-person learning, but the recommended vaccinations to ensure a successful school year for their children.

More information about required vaccines can be found here.

Vaccine Highlight: Shingrix

Did you know you can protect yourself from Shingles by getting a vaccine? Adults 50 years and older or adults 19 years and older with weakened immune systems can get the shingles vaccine. The vaccine is a preventative measure that lowers the risk of getting shingles and the various complications from the disease. More information here.

The Upshot

Important news, special events, and helpful resources about how immunizations can protect you and your loved ones.

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Have Questions About Monkeypox? DSHS Has You Covered.

On August 4, 2022, the White House declared monkeypox a national emergency for the United States. During a press briefing, the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Xavier Becerra, told reporters that “we urge every American to take monkeypox seriously.” So, what does this mean for you? To help answer your questions about monkeypox, the Texas Department of State Health Services has created a web page with information on how monkeypox spreads, symptoms, tips on how to prevent yourself from getting monkeypox, who is eligible for a vaccine, current Texas outbreak data, and more. Click on the following link to access this web page: DSHS Monkeypox.

FDA Approved EUA for Novavax Monovalent Booster - 18 Years and Older

On October 19, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the authorization for the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (Novavax), currently under an emergency use authorization (EUA), to include a booster dose. Unlike the other available COVID-19 vaccines, the Novavax vaccine does not use mRNA technology to fight the virus. Instead, it uses a traditional protein subunit technology that has been used for more than 30 years for other vaccines like the hepatitis B vaccine, shingles, and DTaP. Read more here.

COVID-19 & Flu Vaccine for Pregnant Women: Addressing Common Misinformation

For pregnant persons especially, the risk of complication due to not getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the Flu is more serious than the risk of getting vaccinated, according to Texas DSHS and the CDC.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the Flu during pregnancy builds antibodies that can help protect your baby for up to 6 months after birth. Once infants are born however, they cannot get the vaccine until they reach 6 months old, making getting vaccinated while pregnant all the more important. More information here.

Required/Recommended Vaccinations for College Students

All students entering college are required to receive certain vaccinations because the risk of being exposed to various diseases and illnesses increases due to the high volume of people entering a new community and environment. One of the most important vaccines is the Meningococcal vaccine for Meningitis. Click here for more information about Meningitis, symptoms and recommended vaccines for college students.

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