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Immunizations Blog

Welcome to the Mountain Pacific immunization blog where you can find information about diseases that could be prevented by vaccinations. This blog will feature information about the flu, pneumonia, shingles and more.

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Immunizations are a hot topic for many and Mountain Pacific wants to share education and information about diseases that could be prevented by vaccinations. We work with communities in Montana, Wyoming, Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, which includes Saipan. Our goal is to help everyone understand more about immunizations, such as flu and pneumonia vaccines. Immunizations are important because they help stop the spread of disease and can prevent unnecessary deaths.

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Visit our adult immunizations page for more information.

National Assisted Living Week

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National Assisted Living Week   

By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health 

September 15, 2022 

This week, we are celebrating National Assisted Living Week and the outstanding work going into creating safe and reliable housing for older adults and those with disabilities.  

According to the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), there are about 28,900 assisted living communities, with nearly one-million licensed beds in the United States today. More than 800,000 Americans live in these facilities, with most of … Read the rest

New Pneumococcal Vaccine Approved by the U.S. FDA

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New Pneumococcal Vaccine Approved by the U.S. FDA

By Mountain-Pacific Pacific Quality Health

July 21, 2021

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just approved a new vaccine for adults. PREVNAR 20™ (Pneumococcal 20-valent Conjugate Vaccine) helps prevent invasive disease and pneumonia caused by the 20 Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) serotypes, or subgroups, in the vaccine and is recommended for adults age 18 years and older. Pneumococcal disease can include pneumonia, meningitis and other infections caused … Read the rest

Pneumococcal Disease in Adults – How Can You Prevent It? Part 2

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Pneumococcal Disease in Adults – How Can  You Prevent It? Part 2

By Mountain-Pacific Pacific Quality Health

May 20, 2021

In this blog, we learned about what pneumococcal disease is and how it spreads. Now, we will learn how we can help prevent the disease.

Which vaccines help prevent pneumococcal disease in adults?

There are two vaccines used in the United States to help prevent pneumococcal disease: PCV13 and PPSV23. In addition, getting an … Read the rest

Pneumococcal Disease in Adults – What Is It? How Does It Spread? Part 1

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Pneumococcal Disease in Adults feature image

Pneumococcal Disease in Adults – What Is It? How Does It Spread? Part 1

By Mountain-Pacific Pacific Quality Health

May 6, 2021

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pneumococcal pneumonia causes 150,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States. In 2018 alone, pneumococcal meningitis and bacteremia killed nearly 3,500 people. While pneumococcal disease in adults often ranges from mild to serious, the disease can be deadly. However, the disease is preventable. … Read the rest

Tips to Increase Vaccinations

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Tips to Increase Vaccinations

March 28, 2019

By Amber Rogers, RN, MSN

An important part of what you do is making sure vaccines reach all your patients who need them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends health care professionals

  • ASSESS immunization status at every visit;
  • strongly RECOMMEND needed vaccinations;
  • ADMINISTER vaccinations or REFER to an immunization provider;
  • DOCUMENT vaccinations.

In addition to following these recommendations, there are a few key steps you … Read the rest

Vaccines in Practice: Influenza (Flu)

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Vaccines in Practice: Influenza (Flu)

January 29, 2018

We are well into influenza season. Many of your patients have already received their flu vaccination. However, some patients may be asking “Should I still get a flu shot? I’ve heard it isn’t working this year.”

Reports of potential low vaccine effectiveness for the influenza H3N2 strain are circulating. Flu vaccine effectiveness is dependent on many factors including the match to the circulating strains of virus, and … Read the rest

Got Your Flu Shot Yet? It’s Not Too Late!

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Got Your Flu Shot Yet? It’s Not Too Late!

December 3, 2017

For millions of people every year, the flu means battling a fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue and spending days in bed. But for those at high risk for flu complications—pregnant women, young children and adults over the age of 65 or who have diabetes, asthma or heart disease—the flu can mean staying sick longer, a hospital stay … Read the rest

Fact or Fiction: You Can Get the Flu from the Flu Shot

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Fact or Fiction: You Can Get the Flu from the Flu Shot

By Mountain-Pacific

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months old and older get a flu vaccine every year. But fear and misconceptions about vaccinations stop people from getting the flu shot. Here is some information to help clear up some of those fears and misconceptions.

Question: Can the flu shot give you the flu?

Answer: You cannot get … Read the rest

Fall, Flu and You!

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Fall, Flu and You!

By Mountain-Pacific

Fall means back to school, warm days and crisp evenings. Fall also brings us flu season.
Mountain-Pacific Quality Health is pleased to provide FREE resources to support flu season educational needs. Click on this link http://www.mpqhf.org/QIO/quality-improvement-tools-resources/preventive-health-tools-resources/ to order posters, reminder postcards and immunization records for your patients. Check them out and get your orders in now!
We are interested in sharing best practices for facilities looking to increase their … Read the rest

Question and Answer: Flu Shot

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Questions-and-Answer---Flu-Shot-12.20.2016

Question and Answer: Flu Shot

By Mountain-Pacific

Question: I got my flu shot, but I still got the flu. I don’t think I am going to bother next time.

Answer: Please continue to get the flu shot. There are a couple of important points to remember about flu shots. One reason you may have gotten the flu is because you were exposed to the flu before you got your flu shot. It takes up to … Read the rest

National Influenza Vaccination Week

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Influenza-Week-12.05.2016

National Influenza Vaccination Week

By Mountain-Pacific

Flu is like a secret. It is best kept to yourself.

The flu, also known as influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. These viruses change yearly, so it is important to get a flu shot every year.

Did you know that more than 100,000 people are hospitalized every year because of the flu?

Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting immunized. If you have … Read the rest

Tips to Help Prevent the Flu

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10 Tips to Help Prevent the Flu

By Mountain-Pacific

If you’ve ever had the “flu” (influenza), you know just how miserable it can make you feel. Here are a few tips that may help you reduce your odds of getting the flu this year.

Vaccinate
Flu vaccinations rarely produce side effects and are the number one key to preventing the flu. To learn more about the flu shot please read our flu vaccine blog.… Read the rest

Prevent Pneumonia with the Flu and Pneumonia Vaccines

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Prevent-Pneumonia-with-the-Flu-and-Pneumonia-Vaccines-8.15.2016

Prevent Pneumonia with the Flu and Pneumonia Vaccines

By Mountain-Pacific

People over the age of 65 and under the age of five are more susceptible and likely to acquire pneumonia. Thankfully, there are vaccinations that may help prevent you or your loved ones from acquiring this sometimes deadly disease.

Do you know if you have all the immunizations you need? Finding out which vaccinations you may need is quick and simple thanks to the Centers … Read the rest

Get Your Flu Vaccine!

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Get-Your-Flu-Shot-8.8.2016

Get Your Flu Vaccine!

By Mountain-Pacific

Protect yourself from influenza and get your flu vaccine every season. Not only will you reduce your chances of getting influenza, but you’ll help stop the spread of the flu.

Even though “flu season” doesn’t officially start until October, mark your calendar now to get your immunization. The 2016/2017 influenza vaccine should be released near September.

Health officials create a new influenza vaccine every season that targets predicted flu … Read the rest

National Immunization Awareness Month

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National-Immunizatoin-Awareness-Month-8.1.2016

National Immunization Awareness Month

By Mountain-Pacific

Every year thousands of Americans suffer from diseases and sicknesses that vaccinations could have prevented.

Do you know if you have all the immunizations you need? Finding out which vaccinations you may need is quick and simple thanks to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine quiz: https://www2.cdc.gov/nip/adultimmsched/

Vaccinations are tested to determine safety and effectiveness before they are approved and serious, long-term side effects are rare. Having … Read the rest