In the past nine months or so since Covid-19 made its appearance in the United States, you’ve probably heard the term “herd immunity” come up in various conversations and news articles. Phrases like, “we just need to get herd immunity” or “that country has better numbers because they’ve achieved herd immunity” may have you wondering, what exactly is herd immunity and why is it important to the Covid-19 pandemic? Here’s a quick look at herd immunity and how a vaccine will help achieve it.

Most people don’t like the idea of getting older, and in part, this could be because it means you’re more susceptible to getting the flu. As we get older, our human immune defenses become weaker, which means that people 65 years and older bear the greatest burden during flu season.

Flu season is a confusing term. The flu isn’t just a season, and there isn’t one catch all flu shot. If you’ve forgotten to get your flu shot you’re probably wondering if it’s too late. The answer? Nope! It’s not too late to get a flu shot.

***As of April 19, 2019, there are 10 confirmed measles cases in Butte County***

Get continued updates here.

The cases are considered part of a cluster outbreak in Butte, Tehama and Shasta Counties. A disease outbreak is the occurrence of cases of a disease in excess of what would normally be expected in a defined community, geographical area or season. Measles is a virus that is highly contagious, and potentially dangerous for those who have not been vaccinated. Here’s what you need to know.

The various forms of the flu can be debilitating when they strike, which is why it's so important to take proper care of yourself when recovering. 

So to help you out in this quest, we have compiled a list of the best ways to overcome your nasty flu symptoms this season.

We’ve all experienced the flu at some time or another, but how many of us get vaccinated? Turns out about one-third of senior citizens don’t get the flu vaccine! It’s especially important for at-risk groups, such as young children and seniors, to get vaccinated and lessen the risk of devastating consequences such as hospitalization – or even death. According to the CDC, senior citizens in particular is the group most affected by the seasonal flu because of their weakened immune system. The good news is that there are things seniors can do to lessen their chances of getting the flu, the most important being to consider vaccination.

It's officially flu season and the last thing you want to do is get the flu or spread the flu to someone else. Learn tips to stay healthy, how to recognize the flu, and where you can get a flu vaccination.

Planning a trip abroad can be very exciting. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, visiting a foreign country is an adventure. This is especially true if you have never traveled outside the country. There are certain foreign countries, however, where visiting can be dangerous unless you get the necessary immunizations.

Huh? Adults need vaccines too? Yes, you do! Vaccinations play an integral role in preventative healthcare. The adult vaccination schedule begins at 19 years old, and will continue throughout a lifetime. It’s not hectic. In fact, there’s only one vaccine recommended as an annual dosage. We’ll give you a hint: it rhymes with the “blue” shot. We’ve put together each vaccine you need in your adult life, when you can (or should) receive it, and what it’s called.

We live in a time where communicable disease epidemics are few and far between. We do not live in fear of getting polio, where paralysis of both the legs and lungs are inevitable. Nor do we have severe outbreaks of measles. Healthcare providers, and our nation’s population, have worked together to decrease and isolate outbreaks of highly contagious, deadly diseases over decades of diligence and development of preventative measures.