Bee Wise, Immunize
Quarterly N ewsletter
Winter 2019 | Volume 1, Issue 2
In this issue:

  • Whooping cough cases rising in KC

  • Share CDC's influenza tips

  • HPV vaccine = Cancer prevention

  • Nurture KC unveils new web site

  • Protecting pro-vaccination health
Thanks for your support
Welcome to the second issue of our Immunization Newsletter. Our goal is to share relevant, timely news and resources to help keep families healthy across Kansas City. In the winter, all of us - particularly infants and the elderly - are at a greater risk for illness. That's why education, vaccination and healthy habits (such as proper handwashing) go a long way in keeping everyone safe.

Along with the handy resources included in this issue, I'm excited to announce that Nurture KC (formally Mother & Child Health Coalition) has unveiled a new web site at www.nurturekc.org with updated MAIC information. Check it out!

As always, we appreciate your support and dedication to spread public awareness about immunization.

Sincerely,
DuJuan Hord, Program Coordinator
Mid America Immunization Coalition
Whooping cough cases are on the rise in KC
Health officials in Wyandotte County warn that cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, are increasing -- especially among school-age children.

“So far for 2019 we’ve seen more cases of pertussis than we’ve seen in the last five or six years,” said Elizabeth Groenweghe, chief epidemiologist for the Unified Government Public Health Department. “Usually we see about 15 to 20 cases reported to us each year, and we’ve seen significantly more than that kind of average so far for 2019.”

State health officials say Wyandotte is among a handful of counties across Kansas reporting an outbreak of the disease. The primary goal during an outbreak is to protect babies from getting sick and dying from whooping cough.

Read the full article from The Kansas City Star to learn more.
Keep flu immunization top of mind
The CDC reports that approximately 20,000 children, under age 5, are hospitalized for flu-related complications each year. The more we can spread our vaccination message, the more people we can help. Going into January, it's important to remind those we serve:
1) It's not too late to get the flu shot (for ages 6 months and older).
2) The flu vaccine works to prevent the flu or reduce its symptoms.

In additional to traditional flu-like symptoms - fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue - children may also experience vomiting, diarrhea or respiratory issues without a fever.

Please access and share these helpful resources from the CDC:
Help prevent cervical cancer with HPV vaccine
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. More than 9 of every 10 cases of cervical cancer are caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer can b e largely prevented by the HPV vacc ine. The CDC recommends HPV vaccination at ages 11-12 to protect against cervical and other cancers.

Here's what you need to know:

About 14 million people, including teens, become infected with HPV each year. In short, the HPV vaccine IS cancer prevention!
Nurture KC unveils new web site
We are proud to introduce our new "home" online at www.nurturekc.org . You’ll find a main site, plus a Family Portal and Partner Portal designed to fit the needs of those particular audiences. It's all organized in an easy-to-understand format to put the information you need right at your fingertips. MAIC-specific information can be found at:

Our events calendar and news items are conveniently located on our home page, so bookmark the link in your browser and check back often for updates. This is your one-stop-shop for everything Nurture KC.
SHOTS HEARD protects pro-vaccination health
Shots Heard Round the World is a rapid-response network dedicated to
protecting the digital atmosphere (social media pages, web sites and review sites) of health care providers, practices, hospitals and whole health systems which support vaccination. The organization's tag line is: "Powered by Science. Protecting Public Health."

Although we hope our partners don't encounter this situation, we are sharing this information so you're aware that this response has been vetted and exists. Go to the SHOTS HEARD web site to download its "Anti-Anti-Vaxx Toolkit," report an attack, read recent news or the story behind this movement.
Partners of Mid America Immunization Coalition:

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

MAIC is a program of Nurture KC