Get Healthy De Soto

…having a long-lasting positive impact on the health and safety of the De Soto community by encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, through programs promoting physical activity, healthy nutrition, weight control and disease and injury prevention.

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COVID-19 Vaccine

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They’re here! Well, at least nearby…

There are lots of questions about the vaccine for COVID-19 and when it will become available. Pretty graphics show tiers and when they will likely get vaccinated, but pretty graphics aren’t a shot in the arm! You should consider getting on a list for updates from 2 places:

  • Jefferson County Health Department-there’s a Vaccine Info Request Form where you answer 20 questions that allow them to determine which tier you’re in and also allows them to contact you when that tier can begin being vaccinated so you can learn about how to schedule an appointment.
  • Mercy Hospitals-you can also sign up for alerts through Mercy. The same general procedure is followed. When vaccines become available for your tier, they will let you know based on the contact information you provide.

It can all be a bit overwhelming, so consider gathering information from multiple sources. The two above are good, and you can also check out the state’s site about the vaccine. It has a specific section for facts about the vaccine: is it safe, what are the ingredients in the vaccine, should I get the vaccine if I’ve already had COVID-19…

You can see the facts page here.

And for those that have already received their vaccine (remember, you need 2 doses), you might find this video from the Mayo Clinic helpful. Basically, wash your hands and wear a mask, but Dr. Badley does a good job of explaining why.

Stay healthy!

Measles Outbreak: What you should know

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Measles cases and outbreaks from January 1-February 6, 2015. 121 cases reported in 17 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Washington. One outbreak represents 85% of reported cases this year. Annual reported cases have ranged from a low of 37 in 2004 to a high of 644 in 2014. Data are provisional for cases in 2015.

The first measles vaccination was developed in the U.S. in 1954. That vaccination was improved in 1968, and we’ve been using the same ever since. The prevalence of vaccine use has greatly diminished the number of cases reported each year, but the recent outbreak has brought into question vaccination practices and effectiveness. The important things to remember, per the CDC, are these:

  • The majority of the people who got measles were unvaccinated.
  • Measles can spread when it reaches a community in the U.S. where groups of people are unvaccinated.
  • Travelers with measles continue to bring the disease into the U.S.
  • Measles is still common in many parts of the world including some countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.
Although typically mild, 1 to 2 people out of every 1000 diagnosed with measles will die. This is usually due to the rare onset of encephalitis. However, the disease is incredibly uncomfortable as the symptoms include a high fever, rash, runny nose, and watery eyes.
It is also one of the most contagious diseases; being spread by direct contact and through contact with droplets exhaled by those infected. (The recent outbreak that originated in California is believed to have taken place at Disneyland.)
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends vaccinating your children for measles and other childhood illnesses. For more information about recommendations for protecting your children during a measles outbreak can be found here.

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