Flu Shots: Yale Study Says Mothers Who've Had Flu Shots Have Healthier Newborns

A study published last week in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases finds that infants born to women who received a flu shot while pregnant were at lower risk for hospitalization due to influenza.

What does this mean? Essentially, a mother's choice to receive a flu immunization protects her baby. There is no vaccine in the USA approved by the FDA for use in children under 6 months of age - but a flu shot given to a pregnant mother may protect a baby for a year. Statistically speaking, "The effectiveness of influenza vaccine given to mothers during pregnancy in preventing hospitalization among their infants, adjusted for potential confounders, was 91.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 61.7%–98.1%; ) for infants aged less than 6 months."

Abstract and full text available here.

Sporadic Flu Activity in Ohio

from the Centers for Disease Control

Happy holidays from PHNO!  As the stores and shopping centers become increasingly saturated ahead of the holidays, and as family and friends get together, we just wanted to give you a few tips to stay healthy this season.

If you have not yet gotten vaccinated for seasonal influenza, keep in mind that flu season runs through the spring! The flu activity map from the CDC shows sporadic flu activity in Ohio, with increased activity in neighboring states. For the first time, the CDC issued this year a universal recommendation for vaccination - that is, the CDC recommends that everyone be vaccinated against seasonal influenza. If you'd like to get a vaccine, call Passport Health Northern Ohio at 216.295.9400 to set up an appointment. If you choose not to be vaccinated, remember to practice safe practices such as washing your hands, staying home from work if you're sick to avoid spreading the flu, and to avoid contact with people who might have been exposed to the flu.

Few adults get vaccinations needed to fight infectious diseases

As reported in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, last month the CDC released data showing that inoculation rates for adults "range from 6 percent to 57 percent depending on the vaccine." This includes the vaccine for the whooping cough--which Passport Health Northern Ohio actively carries and administers. Whooping cough "has reached epidemic levels in California, with 6,400 cases, including 10 infant deaths this year, according to the CDC. That's a 418 percent increase over 2009, and the most cases since 1958." In addition, "Whooping cough has spiked in six other states including Ohio, where 1,546 cases have been reported this year."

"The CDC recommends adults get vaccines for flu, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), shingles, pneumococcal pneumonia, meningococcal meningitis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and measles, mumps and rubella. Inoculations protect adults against viruses that can cause cancer, reactivation of the chickenpox virus that leads to shingles, and bacteria linked to some forms of pneumonia."

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2010/12/few_adults_get_vaccinations_th.html

Testimonial

Thank you to Bruce Zarobell for this kind testimonial!

"Due to my career I am required to travel extensively throughout Asia. By necessity, I must therefore receive frequent inoculations. It is rare that I encounter medical professionals of the caliber of Ms. Kilbane Gordon or her staff at Passport Health. From the moment I walked in the door I was made to feel comfortable and welcome.

I was taken care of quickly, efficiently and treated with respect. I was taken care of with consideration of my personal needs as well as my medical needs. I highly recommend Passport Health and will be returning in the future." - Bruce A. Zarobell

Client Testimonial

"As a nurse practitioner, I travel all over the world, on international health assignments. I would never dream of leaving home without contacting an international health specialist, such as Passport Health. Receiving the appropriate immunizations specific to the country you are visiting is just part of the preventive health care needed while traveling. Information about endemic diseases, safe eating and drinking, what to do if you need medical care or go to the hospital, and keeping safe are all part of the package Passport Health provides.

During an assignment to El Salvador, the local physician ordered the anti-malarial medication needed for traveling in that part of the world. It turned out that over half the team received inappropriate medication because they did not receive expert advice from an agency such as Passport Health. Don’t leave home without it!"

Donna Myers, MSN, MA, PNP-BC, FNP

Passport Health Northern Ohio Opens New Office in Fairlawn

Passport Health Northern Ohio has opened a new location in Fairlawn on Market St. to provide a convenient way for Akron-area residents to receive travel consultations and vaccines before traveling abroad.

"This is our second office and we are excited to provide travel vaccination services to our patients in Fairlawn and the surrounding areas," says Gail Mangan, Co-owner and Directior of Operations for Passport Health Nothern Ohio.

Passport Health Northern Ohio opened its first office in Beachwood in May of 2007. Passport Health prepares travelers with destinReturn to list of postsation-specific travel information and travel shots, as well as a full stock of immunizations including flu shots, Zostavax (shingles), and Gardasil (HPV).

Case Western Reserve Nursing School Highlights Passport Health Northern Ohio Alumni

Enterprising Nurses: FPB Alumni Turn Nursing
Background into Entrepreneurial Opportunities

"Ms. Gordon and fellow FPB alumna Gail Mangan, MSN ’95, opened the practice in May 2007 in Beachwood, Ohio.

...The venture started when the two, both career nurse practitioners, were looking for a change. Ms. Mangan had explored starting a Minute Clinic. Ms. Gordon, whose father started his own business in his 50s, was itching for a new adventure, so when she was contacted by Passport Health about a franchise opportunity, she approached her friend with the idea of purchasing together. They took a “field trip” to Baltimore and decided to go for it."
Continue Reading (PDF).