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News Release

INTERVIEWS TODAY: Pediatrician Talks Fall Virus Season - 10/02/25

PORTLAND, Ore. (October 1, 2025): As the 2025-26 school year gets underway, kindergarten classrooms are filled with children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. With early-life exposure to common germs limited during lockdowns, these “pandemic babies” may be more susceptible to viruses this season, including cold, flu, COVID and RSV.

 

“Children’s immune systems need exposure to common germs to build resilience, but that doesn’t mean parents should keep their kids in a bubble,” said Dr. Denike. “We’re seeing many kindergartners experiencing more frequent colds and viruses, simply because they missed those early exposures during the pandemic years. This is normal and expected -- the immune system is learning."

 

“The key is to manage illness responsibly. If your child has a fever or is clearly unwell, keeping them home not only speeds their recovery but also limits the spread of flu, RSV, and other viruses in classrooms. Good handwashing, healthy sleep, and staying up to date on recommended vaccines are other important tools to keep families healthier this season.

 

Interviews available: 
Dr. Lisa Denike, Pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente Northwest, is available for Zoom interviews today, Thursday, Oct. 2 from 1:30-3 p.m. Contact Karen Vitt to schedule.

 

Dr. Denike is prepared to discuss:

  • Recognizing early signs of illness and when to keep kids home from school
  • Healthy habits to support immune function, including handwashing and nutrition
  • Recommended vaccinations for children, including routine childhood vaccines

Kaiser Permanente Northwest offers COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to members 6 months and older, along with seasonal flu vaccinations.

 

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 nearly 12.6 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.

 

INTERVIEWS TODAY: Pediatrician Talks Fall Virus Season - 10/02/25

PORTLAND, Ore. (October 1, 2025): As the 2025-26 school year gets underway, kindergarten classrooms are filled with children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. With early-life exposure to common germs limited during lockdowns, these “pandemic babies” may be more susceptible to viruses this season, including cold, flu, COVID and RSV.

 

“Children’s immune systems need exposure to common germs to build resilience, but that doesn’t mean parents should keep their kids in a bubble,” said Dr. Denike. “We’re seeing many kindergartners experiencing more frequent colds and viruses, simply because they missed those early exposures during the pandemic years. This is normal and expected -- the immune system is learning."

 

“The key is to manage illness responsibly. If your child has a fever or is clearly unwell, keeping them home not only speeds their recovery but also limits the spread of flu, RSV, and other viruses in classrooms. Good handwashing, healthy sleep, and staying up to date on recommended vaccines are other important tools to keep families healthier this season.

 

Interviews available: 
Dr. Lisa Denike, Pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente Northwest, is available for Zoom interviews today, Thursday, Oct. 2 from 1:30-3 p.m. Contact Karen Vitt to schedule.

 

Dr. Denike is prepared to discuss:

  • Recognizing early signs of illness and when to keep kids home from school
  • Healthy habits to support immune function, including handwashing and nutrition
  • Recommended vaccinations for children, including routine childhood vaccines

Kaiser Permanente Northwest offers COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to members 6 months and older, along with seasonal flu vaccinations.

 

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 nearly 12.6 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.