MESSAGE FROM HEADQUARTERS |
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NFID remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing health equity and empowering individuals to make good decisions about their health. To help the public and healthcare professionals understand the latest developments in preventing and treating infectious diseases, we recently launched a new series, Contagious Chronicles, featuring NFID thought leaders providing concise and timely updates on the latest infectious disease news.
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Amidst the resurgence of measles cases across the US, Contagious Chronicles featured an episode with NFID President Patricia (Patsy) A. Stinchfield, RN, MS, CPNP, and Medical Director Robert (Bob) H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, to shed light on the recent uptick in cases and emphasize the critical role of vaccination in preventing the spread of measles. NFID will also share additional resources on measles during an upcoming webinar, Combating the Resurgence of Measles and Other Preventable Diseases, on April 30, 2024.
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In addition to empowering people with information, addressing health equity requires that vaccines are accessible to all who need them. A recent NFID webinar on Addressing Gaps in Vaccine Access and Coverage explored critical issues surrounding vaccine access in the US. Panelists reviewed the current policy landscape, identified barriers to accessing vaccines for travel, outbreak, and occupational exposure, and discussed potential solutions to ensure access for all. As noted in recent comments to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), NFID supports the implementation of a Vaccines for Adults (or Vaccines for All) program as well as continued support for US vaccine safety systems and public health infrastructure.
We still have a long road ahead, but as the blog post featuring insights from NFID thought leaders highlights, together we are making strides to help ensure health equity. In the ongoing effort to support inclusivity, the NFID website now includes integrated accessibility tools.
Throughout our efforts, collaboration with partner organizations has been fundamental in driving the NFID mission forward. If you plan to attend the National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships on April 9-11, 2024, in Philadelphia, PA, please visit the NFID booth to learn more about our efforts and explore potential areas of collaboration. And, if you have a burning question about infectious diseases, submit it via the online form on the NFID website—your question may just show up in a future episode of Contagious Chronicles.
Thank you for your continued support,
Marla
Marla Dalton, PE, CAE
NFID Executive Director and CEO
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As part of the NFID commitment to advancing vaccine progress and fostering inclusivity and collaboration, complimentary registration is available with a discount code, as a unique opportunity to ensure access for all. To request a code, contact vaccine@nfid.org.
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Adolescent Immunization Action Week (AIAW) Toolkit: Help Unity spread the word on social media about the importance of adolescent vaccination during AIAW on April 1-5, 2024, and join a kick-off webinar on 4/2/24 featuring Chelsea Clinton, DPhil, MPH, and other experts
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National Public Health Week (NPHW): Join the American Public Health Association for 2024 NPHW, featuring a week-long series of events addressing the theme, Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health!
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VaccineInformation.org: Immunize.org has launched an updated educational website for the general public with straightforward and accurate information about vaccination, including basic facts about vaccines and the diseases they prevent, and personal testimonies from people affected by vaccine-preventable diseases
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- American Cancer Society
- American Geriatrics Society
- American Liver Foundation
- American Travel Health Nurses Association
- Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations
- Association of Health Care Journalists | Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism
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- Association for Prevention Teaching and Research
- Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP)
- MotherToBaby
- Pandemic Action Network
- WomenHeart: The National Coalition of Women with Heart Disease
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NFID BLOG: THOUGHT-LEADER PERSPECTIVES |
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Other recent posts include:
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NFID mourns the loss of Georges Peter, MD, former NFID Treasurer, committee chair, volunteer, and longtime supporter and immunization advocate. He served as editor for 5 editions of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Red Book (Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases) and was president of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS). He also served on the US Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines, the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE). A member of the faculty of Brown Medical School, he established the board-certified Division of Pediatric Diseases at Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital. He received numerous awards, including the PIDS Distinguished Physician Award, the AAP Award for Lifetime Contribution to Infectious Diseases Education, and a Special Recognition Award from the US Department of Health and Human Services. As a devoted family man who sailed competitively, he also managed the Harvard Stadium scoreboard for 29 years and was a lifetime fan of the Boston Red Sox.
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Congratulations to NFID Director Kathleen M. Neuzil, MD, MPH, who has been named director of the Fogarty International Center (FIC) and associate director for international research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Neuzil will be the first woman to hold the permanent FIC directorship. She is currently the Myron M. Levine Professor in Vaccinology, professor of medicine and pediatrics, and director of the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She will join NIH in early May and will lead FIC in its mission of supporting and facilitating global health research conducted by US-based and international investigators, building partnerships between health research institutions across the globe, and training the next generation of scientists to address global health needs. Her research portfolio includes more than 330 scientific publications on vaccines and infectious disease research. As a member of the NFID Board of Directors, she currently chairs the NFID Awards Committee, and serves on the planning committee for the NFID Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research.
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In the Winter 2023 issue of Double Helix, readers were split in a 3-way tie when asked to vote on their favorite NFID logo: |
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Our latest poll focuses on season 2 of the Infectious IDeas podcast. Results will be shared in the Summer 2024 issue of The Double Helix.
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Which season 2 guest is your favorite?
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Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH
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Barney S. Graham, MD, PhD
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