Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/834093
t m c » p u l s e | j u n e 2 0 1 7 24 "We need our elected leaders to talk about the importance of vaccinating and why there's no link between vaccines and autism," Hotez said. "We don't really hear from the Office of the Surgeon General. We don't hear from the White House." While vaccine-related bills stall in the state legislature, medical and public health professionals in Houston do what they can to protect the community. Organizations like Harris Health System, Texas Children's Hospital and Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services (HCPHES) main- tain mobile health clinics to provide vaccinations at schools, community and WIC centers, and other locations throughout the county. HCPHES officials also discuss what actions they would take in the event of a measles outbreak in Harris County. "We would have additional resources to provide immuni- zations to people who have had contact with someone who has active measles and those at higher risk," Reed said. The high-risk group includes pregnant women, immunocompro- mised individuals and young children. A measles vaccine may still prevent the disease after an unvaccinated person has been exposed to it, if the vaccine is given within 72 hours, Reed explained. Immune globulin, a blood product containing antibodies that the county would also offer to vulnerable citizens, can lessen the severity of the disease if given within six days of exposure. In terms of advocacy and awareness, groups like The Immunization Partnership campaign for legislation to promote vaccination and work to educate and encourage parents. "We offer webinars and toolkits on increasing immuni- zation rates and also work with school nurses," McGee said. "A grassroots parents campaign is working to counteract anti-vaccine groups in the state and raise awareness." While medical professionals do what they can to pro- vide vaccine access, education and resources, there are still parents they can't reach. The ones convinced through their internet research that vaccines are dangerous. The ones who trust Andrew Wakefield over licensed pediatricians. Like all parents, they want what is best for their children. After seeing measles infect her child, Ariel Loop has some advice for them. "Trust people who have spent their lives focusing on this," she said. "As helpful as Google can be, it's not the same thing as going to school for a decade. Find people who are experts, and trust science. It's science—it's not an opinion." We need our elected leaders to talk about the importance of vaccinating and why there's no link between vaccines and autism. We don't really hear from the Office of the Surgeon General. We don't hear from the White House. — PETER HOTEZ, M.D., PH.D. This leadership training is designed to empower women leaders to identify their unique facets, to ask for what they want, and to bring their whole best selves to work. PRINCIPAL SPEAKERS: JéAnna Abbott, Jamie Belinne, Liz Fletcher, Vanessa Patrick and Dusya Vera. As a participant you will learn: • your unique leadership style to help leverage your talent to lead others more eectively • how to develope personal policies, skills and action plans to increase happiness and decrease stress • how to better negotiate salary and promotions, manage conict, and, have dicult conversations • how to recognize and address stressors and promote well-being in the workplace • stories of successful female professionals to inspire you WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP BRING YOUR WHOLE SELF TO WORK August 10-12, 2017 Limited seating available. Register now at bauer.uh.edu/exec