Nasal spray flu vaccines are here — but not all kids can get it for free
By Emma Pollard
It's been available in the northern hemisphere for years, now Australian children can receive a nasal spray vaccine for the flu.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-04/nasal-spray-vaccine-approved-tga/106518564
"Prior to the vaccine, about 20,000 children in the United States...developed severe forms of Hib every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many children were left with permanent brain damage. About 1,000 children died each year."
#PublicHealth #vaccines #immunizations #ChildrensHealth #IDmastodon
"Although Covid-19 is circulating at a very low level right now, the US is just starting to contend with this sleeper branch of the Omicron family tree, a variant called BA.3.2, which has been nicknamed 'Cicada,' after the insect’s ability to disappear and then reemerge after years underground."
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/02/health/new-covid-variant-cicada
#PublicHealth #covid #ChildrensHealth #vaccines #immunizations
A heavily mutated variant of the virus that causes Covid-19 appears to be affecting primarily children, scientists say, though it’s not causing more severe disease – in kids or in adults.
"A Colorado woman whose son died from a fentanyl-laced pill he bought through social media celebrated a pair of verdicts this week against Meta and YouTube that she said opened the door for companies to be held responsible for harms to children using their platforms."
#PublicHealth #SocialMedia #Meta #YouTube #MentalHealth #ChildrensHealth #courts
A Colorado woman whose son died from a fentanyl-laced pill he bought through social media is celebrating a pair of verdicts this week against Meta and YouTube. Kimberly Osterman says the verdicts in California and New Mexico open the door for social media companies to be held responsible for harms to children using their platforms. Osterman's son, Max, died in 2021 at age 18 after he purchased the drugs from a dealer on Snapchat. She says “the infinite scrolling lured him in” and the companies “put profits over safety.” She hopes to see strict guardrails such as age verification enacted to prevent minors from accessing the platforms.
"Doctors across the nation are alarmed that skepticism fueled by rising anti-science sentiment and medical mistrust is increasingly reaching beyond vaccines to other proven, routine, preventive care for babies...'Nature will allow 1 in 5 human infants to die in the first year of life,' Hill said, 'which is why generations of scientists and doctors have worked to bring that number way, way down.'"
#healthcare #PublicHealth #ChildrensHealth #prevention #misinformation
Doctors across the nation are alarmed that skepticism fueled by rising anti-science sentiment and medical mistrust is increasingly reaching beyond vaccines to other safe and routine care for babies. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that refusals of vitamin K shots rose steeply between 2017 and 2024. Those shots can prevent potentially deadly bleeding. A subsequent research review found that U.S. parents who declined vitamin K shots were 90 times more likely to also refuse the hepatitis B vaccine and an eye ointment that can prevent potentially blinding infections. Pediatricians say these refusals put their youngest patients at grave risk.
Colorado has over 50 data centers and more are coming. Let's protect our air and water with a few reasonable regulations.
"Tooth decay can begin very early in a child’s life. If five states ban fluoride in drinking water, the costs to Medicaid for a significant increase in kids with cavities could top $40 million within three years, a new analysis finds."
#PublicHealth #OralHealth #dental #tooth #ToothDecay #fluoride #ChildrensHealth #medicaid #CDC
Do y'all have recommendations for N95-equivalent masks for small children? My kid can't wear one yet, I see sources saying it's a suffocation hazard until 2 years old, but I want to test some masks with relatives' kids.
3 masks I've ordered but can't vouch for yet:
* Zimi - https://zimiair.com/product/zm95s-white-particulate-protective-mask-children-xss-size/
* Trident - https://hlpmedical.net/en-us/products/trident%C2%AE-surgical-p2-respirator-level-3-hospital-grade-face-masks-individually-packaged-box-20
* Blue Industry - https://behealthyusa.net/products/blue-2d-color-mask-white-x-small-kids-size?_pos=1&_sid=fa1ca193c&_ss=r&variant=40977968529572
Mask with frame, direct wear and use, XXS size, KN95 grade, filtration efficiency 98%, inhalation resistance 100pa The frame can be reused, the same size of filter element can be purchased to assembly The straps are adjustable, headloop and earloop, making them suitable for kiddie Skin-friendly, soft and comfortable wearing experience MRI Safe The average delivery time is 8-15 days
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