467: ASTHO Releases Authority Policy Statement, CDC Kicks Off School Vaccination Campaign

ROBERT JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Tuesday, July 25, 2023. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

ANDY BAKER-WHITE: 

We never really know what the next threat will be. But we want to make sure that our public health officials have all the tools available to respond to whatever is next to keep us safe.

JOHNSON: 

ASTHO's Andy Baker-White has been tracking changes to public health authority since the early days of the pandemic. He says a new ASTHO policy statement provides three recommendations aimed at protecting laws and policies that ensure public health.

BAKER-WHITE: 

The first is really to ensure that there is sufficient public health legal authority for preventing and mitigating communicable disease and infectious disease outbreaks. So, making sure that our health officials have the tools they need to protect their communities.

JOHNSON: 

The second recommendation advocates support of evidence-based laws and policies.

BAKER-WHITE: 

Since it's not clear how the next outbreak will spread, we want to make sure that our jurisdictions and our health officials are using the authority that's based on relevant science and using public health authority that is ready and able to respond.

JOHNSON: 

The third recommendation would have policymakers encourage actions that allow public health to do its job.

BAKER-WHITE: 

We hope that this policy statement can be used by our policymakers in various jurisdictions and decision makers in really understanding the value of public health authority, and understanding the actions that our health officials take in responding to communicable disease and other infectious disease outbreaks.

JOHNSON: 

You can download a copy of the new policy statement using the link in the show notes.

The CDC is thinking about back to school vaccinations as parents get their kids ready for return to the classroom as early as next month. Georgina Peacock says some students are not well-protected.

GEORGINA PEACOCK: 

So, while overall routine vaccination remains high and increased among young children, there were continued declines in vaccinations among kindergarten children during the pandemic. Specifically, measles, mumps and rubella vaccination coverage among this group is now the lowest it's been in over a decade.

JOHNSON: 

A new initiative will make the case with parents through several communication channels and tools.

PEACOCK: 

This includes media outreach and promotion, and a number of creative communication resources including digital ads, flyers, and social media posts, which will aim to keep routine childhood vaccinations at the top of mind for parents of school aged children.

JOHNSON: 

Peacocks as the CDC wants others to use the new campaign materials to ramp up their own communications with audiences.

PEACOCK: 

Additionally, CDC is calling on healthcare professionals, educational professionals, and school leaders, because they're trusted sources of information for parents and guardians, to support getting children caught up on their childhood vaccinations.

JOHNSON: 

You can visit the CDC's Back to School vaccination website using the link in the show notes.

Also today, help is on the way in Rhode Island where the health department has added 28 permanent staff positions. ASTHO explains how the agency was able to raise its cap on full-time positions in a new blog article now online. You can read more using the link in the show notes.

Finally this morning, be sure to sign up for ASTHO's Public Health Weekly email newsletter. It provides a complete roundup of the biggest news in the field. You can get it free by joining the list. There's a link in the show notes.

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That'll do it for today's newscast. We're back tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Robert Johnson. You're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.