Many people are wondering when there will be a vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Operation Warp Speed has been working since the pandemic started to make a COVID-19 vaccine(s) available as soon as possible. The CDC is focused on vaccine planning, working closely with state health departments and partners to get ready for when a vaccine is available. With the possibility of one or more COVID-19 vaccines becoming available before the end of the year, click here for 8 things you need to know about where those plans currently stand.

During this pandemic, we remain committed to sharing news and information from local and national media about COVID-19 and immunization-related topics. Each week we’ll continue to review clips from across the U.S., from various news outlets and platforms, and bring you ten timely and relevant links.

“AMA, CDC, Ad Council Urge Flu Vaccination Amid COVID-19 Pandemic” AMA (October 6, 2020)
The Ad Council, the American Medical Association (AMA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation today announced a new campaign, No One Has Time for Flu, to encourage Americans to get vaccinated against flu. In any given season, as many as 45 million Americans get sick with influenza and as many as 810,000 are hospitalized. The campaign will inspire more people to get a flu vaccine to protect themselves, their families and their communities—which will also help conserve medical resources as hospitals and doctors continue to care for COVID-19 patients.

“Flu Vaccination: 6 Tips to Win over the Undecideds” AMA (October 15, 2020)
One key area for focus this year are the patients who haven’t made up their minds about whether to get the flu shot. That’s a big group of people. About 40% of Black and Latinx patients are undecided about getting a flu vaccine this season, as are 24% of white patients, says a July survey by the Ad Council, which has joined the AMA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to launch a campaign, ‘No One Has Time for the Flu.’

“A Win for Science and Transparency: FDA Publishes New, Strict COVID-19 Vaccine Guidelines” Union of Concerned Scientists (October 13, 2020)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) scientists just did something pretty awesome – they stood up to bullying and won. And their win could be a key event in safeguarding the development of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine in the US.

"Your Fall Vaccination Guide: Protect Yourself against the Flu, Pneumonia, and Shingles” Everyday Health (October 9, 2020) As the novel coronavirus continues to infect tens of thousands of people every day in the United States, researchers are racing to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. But this fall, public health experts are also focusing on vaccines that already exist, such as those for the flu, pneumonia, and shingles.

“Many Pregnant People Aren’t Getting Flu Shots, but These Bills Could Help” USA Today (October 8, 2020)
Despite the heightened risk of severe complications, pregnant people often don’t get flu shots or the TDAP vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. People insured by Medicaid––which covers almost half of all births in the country––are far less likely to get those shots compared to those on private insurance.

“Vaccine Opposition Online Uniting around ‘Civil Liberties’ Argument” Science Blog (October 5, 2020)
Anti-vaccination discourse on Facebook increased in volume over the last decade, with opposition to vaccines coalescing around the argument that refusing to vaccinate is a civil right, according to a new study published today in the American Journal of Public Health.

“Infographic: 5 Different Ways COVID Vaccines Work” Genetic Literacy Project (October 6, 2020)
COVID vaccine hesitancy is on the rise, perhaps in the wake of pressure to speed approval beyond scientific reason. But I think some of the hesitancy might be due to confusion over how so many different vaccines can target the same pathogen––and why this is a good idea.

“Van Halen's Death Brings Awareness of Throat Cancer, Local Survivor Shares What You Should Know” ABC (Cleveland) (October 7, 2020)
At 65-years-old, legendary rocker Eddie Van Halen’s death rocked the music world. Van Halen lost his long battle with throat and mouth cancer. In the wake of his death, there’s an increased awareness about throat and mouth cancer, which is newly diagnosed for 50,000 people every year. (Dr. Eric Lamarre with the Cleveland Clinic) also said there’s an increase in HPV causing throat and mouth cancers and stressed the importance of the HPV vaccine.

"Local pediatrician encouraging kids to get immunizations and check-ups amid COVID-19" KOLOTV (October 14, 2020)
Northern Nevada Hopes' Chief Medical Officer and Pediatrician, Dr. Natalie Vogel said healthcare providers have seen a decline in immunizations and child check-ups during the pandemic. Dr. Vogel said your child’s health is a priority and prevention is just as important. “It would be a tragedy if we had a second pandemic, in the middle of one that’s already starting."

“A Nevada man got COVID-19 twice. His case shows why we need a vaccine” LA Times (October 12, 2020)
If you were counting on a coronavirus infection to keep you safe from COVID-19 without having to get a vaccine, scientists have some bad news: It won’t work. The evidence for this comes from a Nevada man who was infected with two distinct versions of the novel coronavirus and became sick with COVID-19 both times. In fact, he was sicker the second time around and had to be admitted to a hospital so that doctors could give him extra oxygen to help him breathe. The unidentified patient is the first confirmed case in North America of a person being reinfected with the virus known as SARS-CoV-2, according to a report published Monday in the medical journal Lancet Infectious Diseases.

Prepare, Don’t Panic. To inform Nevadans statewide, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Governor's Office have created this website to better share information and resources as it pertains to the current status of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact within the state of Nevada. https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/

*Links included do not imply endorsement.