Bee Wise, Immunize
Quarterly N ewsletter
Fall 2019 | Volume 1, Issue 1
In this Issue:

Our First Edition
Preparing for Flu Season
It is a Cold or the Flu?Immunization Resources
#VaccinesWork #4Adults2
Mission & Vision
MAIC Partners
Our First Edition
Mid America Immunization Coalition (MAIC) has always taken pride in the fact that we love to serve our communities by providing the most up-to-date information as well as campaigning to increase immunizations within our area. To better facilitate communication and keep our communities informed, we have decided to publish quarterly newsletters to share timely news regarding vaccinations, changes in legislation and policies, as well as events happening within the world of immunizations. It is our goal that we will be able to work more efficiently with our communities to ensure that vaccine-preventable diseases do not cause an outbreak within our region so that we may protect all the people who live here. We look forward to bringing this opportunity to our readers and hope that you will enjoy the information we will be providing to you. Thank you for allowing us to be a partner in your health.

Sincerely,
DuJuan Hord, Program Coordinator
Mid America Immunization Coalition
Influenza Preparedness: Are You Ready?
Fall is in the air and with that comes the time of year where influenza begins to rear its ugly head. The CDC recommends you take 3 steps towards combating the flu.

Step 1: Take time to get a flu vaccine
Yearly vaccination is the first and most important step in protecting against flu and its complications. It is recommended for all individuals 6 months and older to get annual vaccination. Flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce severity of illness in people who were vaccinated but still get sick.

Step 2: Take everyday preventative actions to help reduce the spread of germs
If you are sick with flu symptoms, stay at home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. Limit your contact with sick individuals. When you are sick, limit your contact with other individuals. Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze. Wash your hands often, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Step 3: Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them
As with any medication, it is always important to take your medication exactly as prescribed by your physician. Antiviral drugs can help make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
Knowing Signs and Symptoms: Colds vs. Influenza
Cold and flu season are often synonymous with one another. Many people often confuse symptoms between the two. The following is a handy chart to help identify whether you have the flu or cold.

It is important to protect yourself this season so avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as this is the easiest way to infect yourself with viruses. Practicing good hand hygiene is also a key method to prevent spreading germs to yourself and others. It is also important to cover your mouth using your elbow or a tissue whenever you cough or sneeze; this will prevent germs from getting on your hands so that you do not spread it to others.

For more information, click below:
Hand Washing        
Immunization Resources
We know that there is a lot of information out there regarding vaccines as well as questions about what vaccines to give when, where can I go to get vaccines, what if I can’t find my shot record, are vaccines safe, and the list goes on and on. Fortunately there are also a lot of valuable resources out there to help you find out what shots your child needs, where to get them, and information regarding their safety.

Where can you go to get recommended and required vaccines? 
Vaccine Clinic Locator   https://vaccinefinder.org/
#VaccinesWork #4Adults2
Thanks to a generous grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Mid America Immunization Coalition was able to launch an ad campaign to help promote vaccinations with an aim at the adult population. The ad can be seen on buses throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.

The purpose of this ad campaign is to increase vaccine awareness and help to improve the immunization rates of our adult population. Low vaccination rates among adults is often linked to the start of outbreaks within our country. Many adults do foreign travel for work or pleasure and are often exposed, resulting in these diseases returning to the U.S.

You can help promote this campaign by using the hashtags #VaccinesWork and #4Adults2 on your social media! For more information regarding adult vaccinations, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/index.html
Serving and Protecting the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area
Vision: Mid America Immunization Coalition (MAIC) will be the immunization resource to ensure that the greater Kansas City community is free from suffering and death related to vaccine-preventable diseases.

Mission: We will work to ensure that vaccine safety and trust are prioritized in order to promote immunization for all of greater Kansas City’s children, adolescents and adults against vaccine-preventable diseases through CARE: collaboration, advocacy, research and education.

Healthcare professionals recognize vaccines as the top medical achievement of the 20th century. But despite all the progress that’s been made in this area, vaccine-preventable diseases—such as measles, mumps, pertussis, whooping cough, influenza, meningitis and shingles—are still around. MAIC believes that no one should suffer or die from a vaccine-preventable illness. Vaccines are a critical piece of the defenses against these serious and sometimes fatal diseases.
Partners of Mid America Immunization Coalition:
MAIC is a program of Mother & Child Health Coalition
Mid America Immunization Coalition
1734 E. 63rd Street Suite 301 Kansas City MO 64110
(816) 283-6242 | www.mchc.net