As the holiday season approaches, health officials are urging communities to prioritize health safety by getting the flu vaccine. This reminder was underscored in Dunmore on Friday, emphasizing that keeping loved ones safe from the flu is just as important as spreading cheer.
“To protect yourselves, your friends, your family, your neighbors, we strongly encourage people to get their flu vaccine,” Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen stated. “The flu vaccine reduces your risk of severe infection, hospitalization and death.”
The event took place at the Bucktown Center, a senior housing facility in Dunmore, where numerous residents had already received their vaccinations earlier this fall.
Dr. Bogen further encouraged, “I know that many of you here are grandparents, aunts, uncles, and you play an important role in protecting your loved ones from severe cases of flu. Encourage your children, your grandchildren, friends and neighbors, to get their annual flu vaccine.”
Rising Vaccine Hesitancy
The push for flu vaccinations comes amid growing skepticism about vaccines nationwide. A KFF-Washington Post Survey of Parents released in September highlighted that while most parents adhere to vaccine guidelines and trust in the safety of vaccines like MMR and polio, certain groups, particularly Republican and younger parents, harbor doubts about current vaccine schedules for children.
Additionally, the survey revealed that a significant number of parents are unsure about misleading vaccine claims, many of which have been echoed by public figures such as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Sarah Hofius Hall
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WVIA News
“This year, for the first time, many of the … older adults we are seeing are showing vaccine hesitancy,” noted Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “It is your choice, but please do so based on reliable information from experts, like the experts we have at the Department of Health and guidance from trusted community local partners.”
In response to these concerns, Gov. Josh Shapiro has enacted an executive order to safeguard vaccine access and ensure that residents receive accurate information. Details can be found at pa.gov/vaccines.
Dr. Bogen assured, “The vaccines we have save lives and reduce suffering, and Pennsylvanians will continue to have access to them, and that is something that we are really committed to as an administration.”
