Quarterly Newsletter
Fall 2020
Bookmark this IMMUNIZATION PAGE on the Nurture KC web site.
(It now also includes access to these newsletters.)


IN THIS ISSUE:

  • Flu clinic schedule

  • Immunization educational module

  • Vaccine resources

  • Guest column by Lauren Grimes, BSN, RN
Hello! I’m the new Strategic Initiatives Director at Nurture KC and I will be overseeing MAIC. I have a background in fundraising and public policy, and have served in various capacities for nonprofits across Kansas City. I look forward bringing my experience to the team here at Nurture KC.

Vaccines are important to me. When my brother was 7 years old, he was diagnosed with Autism. This was 2005 - in the beginning of the anti-vaccine movement - and the spread of misinformation was rampant. From that moment on, my family became advocates for the importance of vaccines, and we’ve never looked back. I am looking forward to bringing this passion to the MAIC.

In this issue, you will find resources for expanding MAIC’s mission, including our Fall 2020 flu clinic schedule. It's important to note that almost all of these clinics offer drive-through service for participants to receive the vaccine in their cars to keep everyone safe during COVID-19.

Let’s get to work!

Shelby Ostrom
Strategic Initiatives Director
(overseeing MAIC)
Immunization educational module now available
Nurture KC, in conjunction with Children's Mercy, has created an online immunization educational module for families. The purpose is to educate them on the importance of vaccines. The module (or "course") is full of videos, graphics, information and interactive questions for them to answer. It's broken down into these sections:
  • Why vaccinate?
  • Immunization safety
  • Guidance for routine immunization
  • Vaccine hesitancy
  • FAQs
  • Personal stories
  • Helpful resources
  • Key takeaways
  • Free flu shot clinics in KC

If you work with families and feel this module would be a helpful tool to share with them, please email MAIC Director, Shelby Ostrom at [email protected] to receive access. This is just one more way that MAIC is reaching out to our KC community and making a difference!
Valuable vaccine resources are housed in one place
Did you know you can find a wealth of immunization articles and links to relevant web sites, such as local KC health departments and national associations, on the Nurture KC web site? It's included on our RESOURCES page, located at: https://nurturekc.org/resources/#immunization

Currently, there are 22 resources. A sampling includes:
  • Voices of Meningitis
  • Immunization Action Coalition
  • Flu Vaccine Facts from the CDC
  • "Vaccines Save Lives" from the Gates Foundation
  • Kansas Department of Health and Environment
  • Kansas City Health Department
  • And many other articles, videos, web sites and links to local health departments

We hope you check it out and find the resources helpful.
How COVID-19 is impacting routine immunizations
Guest column by Lauren Grimes, BSN, RN,
Manager of Nursing Services

Kansas City Public Schools
Division of Student Support Services
 
In March, during the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, families were asked to stay home and stay out of the doctor’s office for routine care. Families listened. Fast forward to October and many children have missed those important well-child visits, and with that are behind on their immunizations. 

Well-child visits and immunizations are more important than ever. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there have been measles and whooping cough outbreaks in recent years. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/why-vaccinate/well-child-visits.html. Combining an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease with COVID-19 is not what we want to see with our children. Immunizations help keep children’s immune systems strong and helps prevent them from contracting diseases that can have devastating effects on children.

Doctors are now seeing patients for well-child and immunization visits and have implemented procedures to keep everyone safe. If you work with families who are concerned about safety procedures in their doctor’s office, please encourage them to reach out to their provider to learn what they are doing to protect the health of all. It is not too late for families to catch up on immunizations.
Partners of Mid America Immunization Coalition:

Mid America Immunization Coalition
1111 W. 39th Street, Suite 100
Kansas City MO 64111
(816) 283-6242 | www.nurturekc.org

MAIC is a program of Nurture KC