Introduction and Background

By NIAID (Flu Vaccine: Reassortment) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Welcome to Community Immunity where we discuss immunization, disease control, and what efforts are in place to minimize the transmission of communicable diseases.  Studies show immunization is critical to the prevention of disease in America, I hear your experiences with vaccination and disease prevention efforts.

The goal of this blog is to encourage communication regarding immunization and infectious disease--in conjunction with Healthy People 2020's goal to "increase immunization rates and reduce preventable infectious diseases."  

https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/immunization-and-infectious-diseases

I am curious to know parent's thoughts on immunization specifically for infants, the influenza vaccine, and the Gardasil vaccine.  I am targeting new parents, to assess their thoughts about the importance of immunization.  I am interested in those who are hesitant or not likely to vaccinate their children.  I would like to know what methods they intend to use to prevent the spread of disease.  I would like to know their reason for refraining from immunization.   

We are going to discuss topics such as the effects of herd immunity, outbreaks in your communities, as facts/fiction about vaccination.  This blog debunk any misconceptions surrounding vaccinations, raise awareness about preventable disease, and set to promote vaccinations among adults for diseases such as pertussis and influenza.

I will partner with the Healthy People 2020 in coupled with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to provide up to date information regarding infectious diseases.  Furthermore, they will be a resource for intervention methods and general health information.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts!