PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 9, 2024): Four and a half years after the pandemic, many people are experiencing “vaccine fatigue” and not getting the vaccinations they need to protect themselves, their loved ones, and those most vulnerable to severe illness from COVID, flu and other respiratory viruses.
“People have heard of ‘COVID fatigue,’ but there is vaccine fatigue in general - not just with the COVID vaccines,” said Dr. Kathryn Glassberg with Kaiser Permanente Northwest. “Coming out of the pandemic, many folks want to get ‘back to normal’ and may be less apt to consider the ongoing health risks of circulating viruses. COVID is now one of those normal viruses, and we have great protection available with the vaccine."
As fall virus season approaches, the FDA has approved updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines, both of which are now available. Flu clinics begin at Kaiser Permanente on September 21, and members can schedule both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment at kp.org.
“With multiple viruses circulating this fall and winter, you can protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated and practicing healthy behaviors,” said Dr. Glassberg. “For individuals with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease or lung disease, it is essential they have an action plan as we head into viral respiratory season to help keep them healthy and out of the hospital."
Interviews available:
Dr. Kathryn Glassberg is available for Zoom/phone interviews on Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 9-11:30 a.m. time. Contact Karen Vitt to schedule.
Dr. Glassberg is prepared to discuss:
- Why are people experiencing vaccine fatigue?
- Why are vaccinations still important?
- Fall vaccine confusion - who should receive the RSV, flu and COVID vaccines, and when?
- Can people get multiple vaccines at the same time?
- If someone has had a recent COVID infection, should they wait to be vaccinated?
- What is the current situation with COVID?
- Is this flu season expected to be a bad one?
ABOUT KAISER PERMANENTE
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.7 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, please visit: about.kaiserpermanente.org
CLACKAMAS, Ore. (Sept. 5, 2024): Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center will celebrate its annual NICU Reunion event, "Little Campers, Big Adventures" on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, outside the Labor & Delivery department. This heartwarming event is a celebration of strength, resilience, and the incredible journey of hundreds of families and children who received life-saving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
This fall also marks the 10th anniversary of the Sunnyside NICU, making it an extra special occasion for the entire community. Families, friends, and healthcare workers will be able to reconnect and celebrate the progress and growth of these remarkable NICU graduates.
NICU mom Cynthia Hernandez, whose son, Saint, was born at 25 weeks and 6 days gestational age and weighing just 2 pounds 1/2 oz, said “Our journey with Saint in the NICU was one of the most challenging times in our lives, yet one of the most beautiful moments.” Saint was delivered at Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside on Sept. 6, 2023, and spent 107 days in the NICU. “The care that Saint received during his stay in the NICU was absolutely incredible. Saint was on a C-pap from birth until he was 36 weeks gestational age. Throughout his stay he also received two blood transfusions. He was on a feeding tube while in the NICU and was able to come home without it."
Hernandez continues, “Saint just celebrated his first birthday! He is full of life and love. You will always catch him smiling and on the go. He is an extraordinarily strong, smart, active and a very alert boy. It was great having the support of the NICU team because they were there every step of the way, making it easier on our family. Especially while juggling two of Saint’s siblings at home and in school."
Interviews Available from 2-3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8:
Media are invited to attend the NICU reunion celebration from 2-3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8 in the courtyard at Sunnyside Medical Center (10180 S.E. Sunnyside Rd., Clackamas). Interviews will be available near the entrance of the courtyard. Contact Karen Vitt to RSVP or for additional info.
- Jennifer Marsh, RN, NICU Charge Nurse
- Cynthia Hernandez, NICU mom whose son, Saint, was born at 25 weeks and 6 days gestational age and weighing just 2 pounds 1/2 oz. Saint was delivered at Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside on Sept. 6, 2023 and spent 107 days in the NICU.
Visuals/Activities at the "Little Campers, Big Adventures" NICU Reunion include:
- A visit from a therapy llama, where attendees can feed carrots.
- Farm animals, such as bunnies, for kids to interact with.
- Clackamas County sheriff vehicles and deputies providing educational materials.
- A firetruck and fire department personnel offering safety information.
- A PANDA transport ambulance (The Pediatric and Neonatal Doernbecher Transport team provides ICU level care for critically ill and injured children during transports).
- Community Library Services will be giving away books.
- A variety of fun, games, treats and prizes for children and parents, including sidewalk chalk, story time, a scavenger hunt, a photo booth and other pediatric wellbeing information.
- Reconnect with many of our NICU staff.
ABOUT KAISER PERMANENTE
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.7 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, please visit: about.kaiserpermanente.org
PORTLAND, Ore. (August 22, 2024): Right now many students are leaving home for the first time as they head off to college to embark on a more independent life. As many parents face the challenge of coping with their adult children's transition to college, pediatricians at Kaiser Permanente Northwest offer five tips for easing the empty nest transition.
“For some parents, this can be a difficult transition and often brings mixed emotions,” said Lisa Denike, MD, pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente Northwest. “Parents may be worried about their children at college - whether they are getting enough to eat, fitting in socially, or how involved to be in their day to day activities. But it's also a very exciting time to be a parent."
Other parents may be struggling with having their children home all summer and them leaving again. Often referred to as “empty-nest syndrome,” the feelings of loss, sadness and anxiety when a child leaves home is very real for many parents.
Kaiser Permanente recognizes how difficult this transition can be and offers five ways parents can cope:
- Embrace the loss you are experiencing. It’s normal to feel this way.
- Try something new; take up a new hobby or revisit something you did when you were younger.
- Follow your child’s lead with the amount of outreach he or she might need.
- Use technology to connect.
- Start new family traditions.
Interviews available:
Dr. Lisa Denike, pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente Northwest (who has personally experienced the empty-nest transition) is available for interviews via Zoom on Friday, August 23 from 9 a.m.-noon. Contact Karen Vitt to schedule.
Dr. Denike is prepared to discuss:
- All of the feelings parents and siblings are having – a sense of loss, sadness, anxiety – and how they are normal feelings to have during the adjustment period.
- What to do with all the extra time on your hands while no longer being tied to children’s school, sports or other activities.
- How to communicate with college kids who may react differently to being on their own for the first time. Some may want to talk to you all the time, others may choose to engage less frequently. How to take cues from your child and be understanding if they don’t communicate the way you do.
- How to take advantage of technology as a way to stay connected. It doesn’t have to feel as far away now that we have a way to connect face to face through our phones, laptops or computers.
- How establishing new traditions can help give families something to look forward to on school breaks. Knowing when you’ll be together again can really make the separation on birthdays and some occasions more bearable.
ABOUT KAISER PERMANENTE
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.7 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, please visit: about.kaiserpermanente.org