There is a myth that COVID-19 is a hoax or that the disease is not very dangerous, that it’s just like the flu. These beliefs are not supported by evidence. COVID-19 is a deadly disease that can have long-lasting negative health outcomes....READ MORE

The CDC recommends that everyone over age 6 months should get a COVID-19 vaccine. When communicating with parents about vaccines for infants, assume that parents will vaccinate, as this helps inspire confidence in parents. If they are uncertain, provide a strong recommendation, and listen to their questions and concerns. It may be helpful to share your own experiences with vaccination,...READ MORE

Parents may ask questions about the safety of their children receiving multiple vaccines at once, the safety of each vaccine, vaccine side-effects, ingredients, and linkages to autism. It is important to remind parents that there’s no proven danger in getting all recommended vaccines at once. Vaccine-preventable diseases can be especially dangerous for young children. And the disease-prevention benefits of getting...READ MORE

Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has proven difficult due to widespread misinformation (or misunderstandings) and disinformation (or deliberate falsehood) about the virus, especially online such as though social media, as well as on the radio or TV. Here are some examples of untrue beliefs about vaccines: It is important to seek out information about COVID-19 from trusted sources of information,...READ MORE

Speaking with people you love about a topic like vaccines can be tough. When attempting to engage loved ones in a conversation about vaccines there are some general tips to keep things positive and hopefully help share information about vaccines that can lead to more people getting vaccinated. Some tips include: Don’t get discouraged and keep trying next time...READ MORE

The United States recommends a number of vaccines in childhood for a variety of reasons including: In order for children to attend school in Alaska, they are required to have the following vaccinations: Each vaccine has different dosing requirements and schedules, so it is important to visit the CDC or other healthcare website, or your local physician/pediatrician to learn more...READ MORE

Influenza, also called the flu, is a serious illness. Every year, 35-75 million people in the US get the flu, 400,000-900,000 people are hospitalized from the flu every year, and 20,000-100,000 people die from the flu every year. Getting a flu vaccine each season can help protect you from getting seriously sick from the flu. Flu vaccines help weaken the...READ MORE