Vaccinate Oklahoma

02/16/2026

02/14/2026

Newly released data from the CDC shows a worrying increase in measles cases across the country. Another 145 measles cases were confirmed last week, bringing the total so far this year to 733. At this time last year, there were only around 65 cases.

Measles cases have been reported in 20 states and 85% have been among children and teens. Cases have been spreading rapidly in South Carolina, where an outbreak started last fall, as well as in Arizona and Utah.

The AAP recommends children receive the two-dose MMR vaccine series for the strongest protection against measles. Read the full piece in AAP News: https://bit.ly/4qX7Ydz

02/14/2026

A new study uncovers why adenovirus-based COVID-19 shots caused rare, dangerous side effects in some people.

Learn more: https://scim.ag/4advH3g

02/10/2026

"Oz’s definitive statement sharply contrasts messaging from the Trump administration, which has questioned the safety of the vaccines, going so far as to alter pages on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website to reflect a long-debunked claim that the MMR vaccine — a two-shot vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella — is linked to autism."

People should “for sure” fear measles, top health official Dr. Mehmet Oz said, as the U.S. continues to struggle with an ongoing rise in measles cases that began last year.

02/10/2026

The next ACIP meeting takes place at month's end, and it's going to be another sh*tshow, with COVID vaccines expecting to be targeted once more along with all maternal vaccinations. Gift link in the comments.

02/04/2026

"Moderna’s recent disclosure that it plans no new late-stage vaccine trials because of policy uncertainty in the United States is a chilling consequence of the Trump administration’s anti-vaccine turn. It’s also symptomatic of a deeper sickness threatening American dominance in pharmaceutical innovation."

China is on track to become the world’s pharmaceutical leader if the U.S. keeps blowing its edge.

01/31/2026

"But medical professionals said it’s not reasonable to require blood banks to accurately screen donors for vaccination status. Scientifically, there’s no way to tell the difference between the antibodies of people who have been sick with COVID and those who have been vaccinated against it, one doctor said."

A House lawmaker wants the state to run its own blood bank so it can provide Oklahomans blood “untainted” by the COVID-19 vaccine.

01/31/2026

"During the investigation, OSDH found out the patient was in a public setting and was contagious."

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) confirmed a case of measles in Norman.

01/15/2026

"The new childhood immunization schedule shifts six vaccines from being universally recommended to being based on shared clinical decision-making. This means the agency recommends families and providers discuss individual risks and health circumstances before deciding whether a child should get an immunization."

An Oklahoma vaccine advocacy group argues this move doesn’t reflect scientific evidence and could have consequences for families.

01/15/2026

"The $1.6m study, funded under the purview of Robert F Kennedy Jr, longtime vaccine skeptic and secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) , drew outrage and criticism over ethical questions about withholding vaccines proven to prevent hepatitis B in a country with a very high burden of the disease."

$1.6m project drew outrage over ethical questions about withholding vaccines proven to prevent disease

01/09/2026

"Outpatient visits for respiratory or “flu-like” illness are at their highest in nearly 30 years, and nine children have died of flu this season, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC)."

https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/34114/CDC-9-children-have-died-of-flu-this-season

Outpatient visits for respiratory or “flu-like” illness are at their highest in nearly 30 years.

01/02/2026

Not the way we wanted to kick off 2026...

As of yesterday, nine children have died from the flu this season. The CDC estimates there have been approximately 3,100 total flu deaths, over 81,000 hospitalizations, and 7.5 million infections nationwide.

Hospitalizations have nearly doubled in just one week, jumping from 9,944 to 19,053 between December 13 and December 20. NY is reporting its highest number of flu cases ever recorded in a single week. CO is seeing record hospitalizations, reaching levels they didn't hit until late January last season.

For context: last year was the deadliest non-pandemic flu season for U.S. children on record, with 280 pediatric deaths by season's end. We're on a faster, steeper trajectory this year.

What you need to know:
-It is NOT too late to get the flu shot
-Anyone over 6 months old can get vaccinated, including pregnant women
-The flu shot cannot give you the flu
-This year's vaccine isn't a perfect match; the dominant strain (H3N2 subclade K) emerged after the vaccine was finalized. BUT even a mismatched vaccine still provides meaningful protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. It lessens severity and duration, meaning you'll be less sick for a shorter time.
-Even people with egg allergies can get the flu shot
-For people with needle phobia, there's a nasal spray option (FluMist). Talk to your clinician about eligibility (generally healthy people ages 2-49, with some exclusions).
-If you've never had the flu shot and never had the flu: congrats, you got lucky. This is a brutal season, and you don't want to test that luck now.
-It takes about 2 weeks to build protection after vaccination, so the sooner the better
-You can get your COVID-19 and flu shots at the same time; same arm or different arms, doesn't matter

If you get sick:
-There are FDA-approved antiviral treatments (like Tamiflu/oseltamivir) that can shorten your illness and reduce severity, but they work best when started within 48 hours of symptom onset. Don't wait.
-Some states have test-to-treat programs at pharmacies where you can test positive and get a prescription on the spot without a trip to the ER. Call your pharmacy to ask.
-If you're high-risk, contact your doctor early about antivirals.
-Hydration and sleep are your best friends!

Other ways to protect yourself and others:
-Mask with an N95 or equivalent
-Improve ventilation when gathering indoors
-Test before gatherings, especially if you're seeing vulnerable loved ones

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/flu-treatments-cases-spike-us/story?id=128804398