CDC's Wild to Mild flu vaccine campaign launched in September 2023. Notably, it aimed to "reset public expectations around what a flu vaccine can do," like protecting you from serious outcomes. www.cdc.gov/flu/whats-ne... (Link active at time of post.) - ThreadSky

altcdc.altgov.info • 17 days ago

CDC's Wild to Mild flu vaccine campaign launched in September 2023. Notably, it aimed to "reset public expectations around what a flu vaccine can do," like protecting you from serious outcomes.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/whats-new/2023-2024-new-campaign-wild-to-mild.html

(Link active at time of post.)

Comments

altcdc.altgov.info•17 days ago

No vaccine is 100% effective, but even if it doesn't prevent illness, the flu vaccine can result in a milder illness, making a bout of the flu more like a teddy bear than a grizzly bear.

altcdc.altgov.info•17 days ago

We often talk about vaccine effectiveness as a measure of success for a vaccine. But flu is a little different. It mutates frequently, so it's better at evading our immune system.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-flu-vaccine-works-in-a-way-most-people-dont-appreciate/

altcdc.altgov.info•17 days ago

The vaccine doesn't always prevent us from getting the flu, but that doesn't mean it's not working. Less sick is better than more sick!

altcdc.altgov.info•17 days ago

You've probably come across Wild to Mild messaging on TV, social media, or even on trains in cities like Atlanta. It's been pretty popular.

manarthemagic.bsky.social•17 days ago

I saw it on the MARTA train pulling into my local station the other day and was so happy to see it!

altcdc.altgov.info•17 days ago

The abrupt and unexpected end to this campaign comes one day after RFK Jr., a noted vaccine cynic, was sworn in as the director of HHS. No reason for the end of the campaign has been shared, but you can do the math.

ca-nc-galady.bsky.social•17 days ago

Not at all surprising.
How about the vax for TB. We gotta get that for the US. Is it coming?

cherchub.bsky.social•17 days ago

I was proud to see this campaign all over my pregnancy tracking app as a CDC employee (before I was illegally fired). It’s a creative and impactful campaign, and clearly the targeting was on point.

rubyjoules.bsky.social•17 days ago

Why does the US recommend the flu shot to every person over 6 months and in other countries it is only recommended to young, old, immune compromised etc.

jenmindelen.bsky.social•17 days ago

This is a long time coming

And the sucky thing is it took a pandemic that killed 20 million & disabled hundreds of millions more people,

In order to have a more accurate conversation about the protection we can expect from vaccines,

AND what happens in a "low vaxxed" society

rubyjoules.bsky.social•17 days ago

The flu shot was never considered part of the vaccine suite. It isn’t part of the immunizations records- it isn’t on par with MMR, polio, tetanus, etc. it is a seasonal shot that doesn’t always work. It does breed distrust when people start equating the flu shot with the polio vaccine etc.

jenmindelen.bsky.social•17 days ago

🎯

I didn't bother w/flu vax until 2009

I got swine flu on a business inventory road trip and thought I was gonna die in a hotel room 1689 miles away from home

I get it annually now

jenmindelen.bsky.social•17 days ago

If it's not clear, I am pro vax all the way

This approach is needed for all the people who were initially pro vax, but flipped when they were "lied" to about the effectiveness

We were initially promised a *neutralizing* C*vid vaccine that would prevent transmission

That lie hurt & killed people

jenmindelen.bsky.social•17 days ago

We know "the science changes"

We know it takes 10-30 years to fully understand novel pathogens

Given that, we need to be as accurate as possible in the messaging

So that people can assess their risks when transmission is still a factor

So that less people are jaded and untrusting of science

catherinepage.bsky.social•14 days ago

I'm starting to wonder if there will be flu shots available for next year? I am high risk, and I teach second grade. I always get vaccinated. This year, my school was hit hard. I know it's a little early to start worrying, but wondered if anyone knows the plan for next season.

bombaycrone.bsky.social•13 days ago

I'm 80 and I worry about the same thing. I still have a stockpile of masks I'm going to get more just in case we have no boosters for influenza or covid or RSV. Pneumonia is also an issue.

catherinepage.bsky.social•13 days ago

Good idea. I’m so sad we even need to be worrying about these things. I guess I should double check with my doctor to see if I’m due (or qualified) to get any boosters now. I wear masks when I’m not feeling well, but it’s so hard to teach phonics while wearing a mask. Hope you stay healthy!

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