jueves, 11 de agosto de 2016

Vaccines key part of Preventive Health Month | Health.mil

Vaccines key part of Preventive Health Month | Health.mil

Health.mil

Vaccines key part of Preventive Health Month

Army Col. Margaret Yacovone, Chief, Defense Health Agency-Immunization Healthcare Branch

Army Col. Margaret Yacovone, Chief, Defense Health Agency-Immunization Healthcare Branch





ABout a year ago, a young man heading to Pakistan came to my travel clinic. I recommended the polio vaccine, but he wanted to decline. I asked him what he thought would happen if he came down with the disease. He figured he’d get some kind of cough. Imagine his shock when I told him he could become paralyzed, or because infected people don’t always show symptoms, he could unknowingly bring the disease back to his family and friends in the United States.
Until the 1950s, polio not only paralyzed thousands of people in the U.S. and around the world, it killed many. Now polio is rare thanks to worldwide immunization efforts. During Preventive Health Month, let’s consider how important immunizations are in preventing some of our worst diseases.
Immunizations are our top public health achievement of the 20th century. Routine vaccinations have saved more lives throughout the world than any other medical invention. They drastically reduced the prevalence of many diseases, and even eradicated some, such as smallpox. Though polio isn’t fully wiped out, we’re getting closer every day. Today, immunizations, such as those for hepatitis B and the human papillomavirus, are helping with the elimination of some cancers. Along with preventive services and health screenings, getting immunized is our best defense against many serious illnesses and preventable diseases.
Vaccinations protect more than the people who receive them. The spread of disease is limited when a large percentage of the community is immunized. For example, infants who are too young to get certain vaccinations rely on the immunity of others to prevent the spread of disease to them. This is known as “herd immunity,” or “community immunity.” Between 80 and 95 percent of the community must be vaccinated for herd immunity to be helpful.
In recent years, a vaccine-hesitancy movement has seen well-intentioned parents avoid immunizing their children, and this has led to several large outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases abroad and in the U.S. Before we had vaccinations available for certain diseases such as meningitis, I witnessed children suffer and die from these devastating contagious diseases. Now we have preventive measures available, and not everyone is taking advantage of the opportunity. Our organization, DHA IHB, is piloting programs to help providers listen to the concerns of vaccine-hesitant parents and help them make the best-informed decisions.
No matter what your age, there are immunizations recommended to help protect you. Those with certain medical conditions or occupations or those who plan foreign travel might require additional immunizations. The nature of our mobile military means our families as well as our active-duty service members are exposed to diseases unheard of in the U.S. but endemic to certain overseas areas where we work and live. The importance of receiving recommended immunizations and getting regular updates through adulthood is key to making sure that you and your family stay healthy. It’s for everyone’s good.
Discuss recommended immunizations with your provider and visit our website, www.health.mil/vaccines, for more information on vaccines. Also, please join the discussion on "Lifetime Benefits of Immunization" during the DHA-IHB Facebook Town Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, from 1-2 pm. 


Army prepares to administer 1.6 million flu shots

Article
8/11/2016
Army Pvt. Jonathan Bowen (left), health care specialist with the 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade, provides an influenza vaccination to another Soldier.
The goal is to immunize with flu shots at least 90 percent of service members and health care professionals by Dec. 15, 2016
Related Topics: Immunization Healthcare | Immunizations

MMQC-16-1861 New Website URL

Publication
8/8/2016
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Back to School Health and Safety Checklist

Infographic
8/4/2016
Health and Safety Checklist for Back to School
This infographic provides a going back to school health and safety checklist.
Related Topics: Preventive Health | Children's Health | Immunizations

Preventive measures lead to a healthier Air Force

Article
8/4/2016
Preventive Health’s secondary stage is the one most Airmen have experienced in one way or another. It includes things like the annual Periodic Health Assessment, hearing tests, cancer screenings, and blood tests.
Preventive Health breaks down into three separate stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary
Related Topics: Preventive Health

It's World Breastfeeding Week

Article
8/3/2016
Image of the TRICARE logo.
Did you know the first week in August is known as World Breastfeeding Week? Take some time this week to learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and what you can do to support breastfeeding as a key component to sustainable development.
Related Topics: Preventive Health | Women's Health | Children's Health

Post-workout delayed muscle soreness

Article
8/2/2016
Marine Sgt. James Vincent, explosive ordnance disposal technician, explains the proper form for forearm curls as Marine Lance Cpl. Ashley Vallera, demonstrates the exercise. Muscle pain a day or so after exercise, known as delayed onset muscle soreness, is common among athletes. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle N. Runnels)
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness can be treated at home and sometimes prevented with simple techniques
Related Topics: Physical Activity | Human Performance Resource Center | Preventive Health

DoDEA Immunization Requirements 2016-17

Publication
7/28/2016
Related Topics: Immunization Healthcare | Vaccine Schedules

A human vaccine for the Zika virus may be coming soon

Video
7/22/2016
A human vaccine for the Zika virus may be coming soon
Scientists at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Maryland, have developed a vaccine for the Zika virus. They received a strain of the virus from Puerto Rico in November 2015, and have since created a purified inactivated virus, like the flu shot. The vaccine is called ZPIV, and so far, it looks promising that military medical research will be a key contributor to preventing the continued spread of the Zika virus.
Related Topics: Mosquito-Borne Illnesses | Zika Virus | Immunization Healthcare | Medical Research and Development

Army researchers, Sanofi Pasteur to co-develop Zika virus vaccine

Article
7/13/2016
A digitally-colorized transmission electron micrograph of Zika virus, which is a member of the family Flaviviridae. Virus particles, here colored blue, are 40 nanometers in diameter with an outer envelope and an inner dense core.
A recently signed cooperative research and development agreement will allow the transfer of the Zika purified inactivated virus, or ZPIV, technology to Sanofi to explore advanced and larger-scale manufacturing and production
Related Topics: Research and Innovation | Pandemic Diseases | Immunization Healthcare | Mosquito-Borne Illnesses | Zika Virus | Public Health

To be treated, or not to be treated: Experts encourage ‘shared decision-making’ between patients, doctors

Article
6/28/2016
Dr. Shiv Srivastava is the co-director and scientific director of the Center for Prostate Disease Research, as well as the Judd W. Moul Basic Science Chair in the Department of Surgery at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
Doctors encourage “shared decision-making” in screening and treating one of the most common diseases in older men. Read more to find out what you should know about prostate cancer.
Related Topics: Preventive Health | Men's Health

Naval Health Research Center launches norovirus vaccine trial

Article
6/22/2016
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Sterling Wold, a hospital corpsman in Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton's Family Medicine Immunizations Clinic, gives a shot to a patient. Extensive safety testing for this potential norovirus vaccine has been performed in civilian populations, but because the recruit training population regularly experiences large outbreaks of norovirus, it is a perfect place to test the effectiveness of the vaccine for the military. (U.S. Navy photo by Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Markian R. Carreon)
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent norovirus, a highly contagious disease which causes vomiting and diarrhea
Related Topics: Health Readiness | Immunization Healthcare | Medical Research and Development

The HPV Vaccine Saves Lives

Infographic
5/16/2016
Infographic about the HPV vaccine
The Defense Department reccommends male and female military service members, ages 17-26 years, receive an HPV vaccine series to generate a robust immune response to the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV4).
Related Topics: Preventive Health | Immunizations | Men's Health | Human Papillomavirus | Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch | Women's Health

Study Finds Strong Immune Response to HPV Vaccine Among Female Service Members

Report
5/11/2016
A new study of female service members that examined their immune response to a vaccine to combat the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer showed development of antibodies in 80 to 99 percent of recipients against each of the four strains of the disease.
Related Topics: Health Readiness | Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch | Public Health | Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch | Preventive Health

Breast Cancer

Infographic
5/9/2016
infographic about the breast cancer and how to protect against it.
In the U.S., with the exception of skin cancer, breast cancer accounts for the greatest number of cancer diagnoses in women and the second most common cause of female cancer-related deaths. This infographic shows seven ways to protect yourself from breast cancer.
Related Topics: Preventive Health | Women's Health

Traumatic brain injury is an all-ages threat

Article
3/15/2016
Educating your children about head injuries and making sure they use safety equipment properly can help reduce concussions and other forms of brain injuries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Araos)
Children who participate in recreational activities or play sports are at increased risk of mild TBIs, but proper education and precautions help reduce those risks.
Related Topics: Traumatic Brain Injury | Children's Health | Preventive Health | Physical Activity

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