Fewer Florida children are receiving routine vaccinations

educationfund2 on January 13, 2025

Fewer Florida Children are Receiving Routine Vaccinations

High vaccination rates can help prevent the spread of severe illnesses like measles and polio. But pediatricians say they’re encountering more parents hesitant to get their kids immunized.

Childhood vaccination rates in Florida continue to decline, part of a national trend as misinformation spreads more widely and hesitancy increases, health experts said.

In the 2023-24 school year, 88.1% of kindergartners completed required vaccines that protect against severe illnesses, including measles, polio and chickenpox, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It’s one of the lowest rates in the nation, and it concerns physicians like Dr. Jennifer Takagishi, vice president of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Florida chapter and a professor at the University of South Florida.

Louisiana deserves better from our leaders than anti-vaccine rhetoric

educationfund2 on October 30, 2024

Louisiana deserves better from our leaders than anti-vaccine rhetoric

Dr. Kali Broussard

October 29, 2024

As a pediatric health care provider, it’s deeply disheartening to witness our state’s leaders squander an important opportunity to protect the health and safety of Louisianans —especially our children.

Recent hearings held by the House Select Committee on Homeland Security were supposed to be a chance to reflect on Louisiana’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and identify ways to strengthen our public health systems. Instead, these hearings became a platform for spreading falsehoods, conspiracy theories and dangerous anti-vaccine rhetoric.

The people of Louisiana deserve better.

Our state has faced tremendous challenges — from hurricanes to health crises — and the COVID-19 pandemic was yet another test of our resilience. What we need now is a commitment to learning from the past, improving our systems and preparing for the future.

Instead, we saw taxpayer dollars used to amplify deceptive anti-vaccine talking points that undermines public trust and endangers lives. The presence of so-called “experts” who were invited to push dangerous conspiracy theories in a formal government setting was not only irresponsible but deeply disappointing. Even more troubling were the statements made by our state’s surgeon general and deputy surgeon general, whose remarks only served to legitimize these baseless claims.

The Economic Imperative of Childhood Vaccinations for Florida’s Business Community

educationfund2 on September 3, 2024

The economic imperative of childhood vaccinations for Florida’s business community

Julio Fuentes

September 3, 2024

As businesses in Florida continue to navigate the challenges of inflation and fluctuating federal policies, it’s never been more critical to ensure a stable and healthy workforce. One unlikely but vital component of this is childhood vaccinations, which are actually a key component of this stability by providing both immediate and long-term economic benefits too significant to ignore.

A healthy workforce is the backbone of any thriving economy. When children are vaccinated, they are less likely to fall ill, meaning fewer missed school days and, crucially, fewer missed workdays for parents. This stability is especially important for small businesses like those in the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which so often cannot afford the disruptions caused when employees must take time off to care for sick children. In Florida, where small businesses are the lifeblood of the local economy, the benefits of a vaccinated population extend beyond public health — they directly contribute to business productivity and economic resilience.

Lost Trust Leads To Lives Lost: Rebuilding Vaccine Confidence For A Healthier Nation

educationfund2 on July 23, 2024

Lost Trust Leads To Lives Lost: Rebuilding Vaccine Confidence For A Healthier Nation

Bill Frist

July 23, 2024

One of my earliest childhood memories was watching my father, a doctor, make house calls to his patients around Nashville. Witnessing his healing, empathy, and dedication to the science of medicine first inspired me to follow in his footsteps — not just as a physician, but in his passion to make the world a healthier, better place for all. It inevitably guided me to the halls of the U.S. Capitol as a senator representing my home state of Tennessee.

In those halls, I saw the greatness of this country at its best moments — times of bipartisanship, when the health, happiness, well-being, and freedom of the American people were prioritized above all else.

That was 17 years ago. Since then, we have watched that bipartisanship crumble and those good moments become fewer and farther between, reaching a precipice during the COVID-19 pandemic –– a precipice we are dangerously close to careening over.

Childhood Vaccinations – Not Just a Personal Choice, A Community Responsibility

educationfund2 on May 24, 2024

Childhood Vaccinations - Not Just a Personal Choice, A Community Responsibility

Kayla Pagel

Featured in Southeast Politics
May 24, 2024

In an era where misinformation can spread as rapidly as disease, it’s imperative that we, as a community, reaffirm our commitment to vaccines—one of the most effective preventive public health tools available. As president of the Louisiana Parent Teacher Association (PTA), I feel compelled to address the health and safety of our children through vaccination as a matter of utmost urgency.

Our children’s well-being, the continuity of their education, and the strength of our community depend on it.

The PTA serves as a bridge between parents, teachers, and the community with a long and storied history of advocating for the wellness of children. Our mission is to provide parents and educators with the resources and support they need to foster an environment in which every child can thrive and realize their full potential, and vaccination remains one of the critical tools to ensure their health and safety.

Commentary: The evidence is clear; vaccines protect our children

educationfund2 on May 21, 2024

Commentary: The evidence is clear: vaccines protect children

Thresia B. Gambon

Featured in the Orlando Sentinel
May 21, 2024

As dedicated physicians and members of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, we are staunch advocates for evidence-based medicine, partifularly when it comes to pediatric health care. In light of the recent measles outbreak in Florida and elsewhere, and the ongoing discussions surrounding vaccines, we feel compelled to reaffirm the indispensable role of vaccines in protecting the health and well-being of our children – a view grounded firmly in scientific evidence.

Guest Column: Vaccines are good for children and community

educationfund2 on May 3, 2024

Guest column: Louisiana's leaders should champion vaccines and children's health

Trey N. Parker and Tammy Rider

Featured on NOLA.com
May 3, 2024

It’s been more than 60 years since The Advocate (then called The Morning Advocate) published a story about the Boy Scouts volunteering their time to help get kids vaccinated against the polio virus. It’s hard to imagine the devastating impact of that terrible disease, which often left young children unable to walk, because Americans rallied to the cause and got vaccinations that virtually eradicated it.

Many diseases like polio once plagued society. But due to the revolutionary implementation of vaccines, we have become desensitized to the dangers of these illnesses.

Arizonans deserve better than vaccine conspiracies…

educationfund2 on April 19, 2024

Arizonans deserve better than vaccine conspiracies and downright dangerous rhetoric

Ashley Chambers

Featured in the AZ Mirror
April 19, 2024

As an Arizonan and mother of three, it has been truly sad to witness recent legislative hearings that have been held and the bills that have advanced relating to science and public health.

The legislative leadership’s mistrust of medical institutions and public health officials is palpable, and one need only tune in to the Ad-Hoc Novel Coronavirus Southwestern Intergovernmental Committee hearings to feel the anti-science sentiment and conspiracy theories seep deep into your bones.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the anti-vaccine movement liked to claim that any number of ailments a child might have were attributable to childhood vaccinations. Since the pandemic, the rhetoric has exploded and anti-vaccine advocates have evolved into blaming nearly any ailment anyone has on vaccines (including routine childhood immunizations), but especially the Covid-19 vaccine.

I am not saying that adverse reactions to vaccines are not real, whether that be a legacy vaccine or a newer vaccine. But true vaccine injuries are exceedingly rare — fewer than one in a million vaccinated people suffer a serious side effect.

When you compare that to the number of unvaccinated or vulnerable people who are at risk for harm or death from an outbreak of disease, it’s clear that vaccines save lives against a myriad of diseases. Period. Hard stop. That is the truth.

I am a foster mom and I see vaccinating the children I parent as an act of love

educationfund2 on March 19, 2024

I am a foster mom and I see vaccinating the children I parent as an act of love

My spouse and I became foster parents for the first time about a year ago, knowing we could provide a stable, loving and healthy home for vulnerable children.

As professionals in higher education and nonprofit leadership, we know the great need for enthusiastic and loving foster parents who can provide support and normalcy during a difficult time.

Before we were approved to become foster parents, our home was evaluated for a comprehensive list of security and safety issues — everything from making sure that staircases and windows are secured to which direction pot handles face on the stovetop. With safety protocols that specific and granular, it is clear that DCS wants to protect children from every possible harm.

Commentary: The most effective tool to prevent the spread of measles

educationfund2 on March 9, 2024

Commentary: The most effective tool to prevent the spread of measles

Anna M. Likos

Featured in the Orlando Sentinel
March 9, 2024

The reent measles outbreak in Florida raises concerns about the rapid spread of this disease and potentially sever consequences. According to the latest reports, Polk County has reported one adult case and Broward County has reported nine cases among children, marking it the largest number of cases in this country of this highly contagious disease.