Are the Kids Our One-way Ticket to Herd Immunity?

Today is World Health Day, an annual awareness event spearheaded by the WHO.

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By Paola de Varona, News Editor Today is World Health Day, an annual awareness event spearheaded by the WHO. This year's theme is: our planet, our health. It's a reminder that we're all connected. We should all have access to clean air, water, food, and health care. Today's Top Story What Will Kids' COVID Vaccination Rates Look Like by Summer? Vaccination rates in the U.S. haven't increased drastically as of late. And we're still well away from reaching the minimum threshold needed for herd immunity, 70%. But getting kids vaccinated could get us there.   As kids continue to get vaccinated, the share of the U.S. population immunized against COVID-19 could increase from 65% to over 68% by June, projections by Verywell show. If the FDA authorizes vaccines for kids under 5, that number could be even higher.   Our analysis projects that seven states will reach 70% full vaccination among kids 5 and 17 by June 1. No states have reached that threshold for all kids yet, though nine states have reached 70% vaccination among 12 to 17-year-olds, according to the CDC. Know More What will convince more parents to get their kids vaccinated? Time. Some studies have found that the longer the vaccines are available, the less hesitant parents are to get their children the shot. Feel Better If more kids get vaccinated by the summer, this means they will have safer camps, vacations, and a safer school year in the fall. If you have kids who are eligible for vaccination, you don't have to out of your way to make an additional doctor's appointment. The CDC says it's safe to administer the COVID vaccine at the same time as other routine shots like the HPV or Tdap vaccines. READ MORE Seven states—including Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine—are projected to have over 70% of both 5-11 and 12-17-year-olds fully vaccinated by June. When You Eat, Not Just What You Eat, May Affect Your Diabetes Typical advice for managing diabetes includes getting enough exercise and limiting added sugars in your diet. But the timing of when you eat certain foods may impact your health, too. A new study found that people with diabetes who ate potatoes or starchy vegetables in the morning, whole grains in the afternoon, and dark vegetables or milk in the evening were less likely to die from heart disease. More research is needed before these kinds of recommendations become cannon. For now, it may be more helpful to look at your eating patterns. READ MORE Regular Screening for Depression Can Help, but Treatment Needs to Be Timely At Veterans Affairs, providers screen every patient for depression. These regular check-ins can help detect symptoms early, as well as connect patients to potentially life-saving support and care. But a new study showed that timely care didn't always arrive. Researchers from the VA found that most patients who screened positive and were diagnosed didn't get timely follow-up care. Almost a quarter didn't receive even minimal treatment within the year. READ MORE   In an interview with Verywell, Christine Byrne, MPH, RD, LDN, a non-diet private practice dietitian, emphasized that for people with diabetes, there's no one-size-fits-all diet. There's no one diet pattern or food list that works for everyone with diabetes.Taking regular blood sugar readings and learning how your body reacts to various foods is far more helpful than following blanket recommendations for foods to eat and foods to avoid. Christine Byrne, MPH, RD, LDN Non-diet Private Practice Dietitian   Keep Reading   ■ America Is Staring Down Its First So What? Wave. The Atlantic     ■ Why PTSD Is Still Overlooked. The New York Times     ■ When Resolved Medical Bills Keep Popping Up. NPR More From Verywell Is Diabetes Causing Your Skin Problems? READ MORE A Parents' Guide to Vaccines for Children READ MORE 9 Depression Triggers to Watch For READ MORE   How'd we do? If you have any feedback, send us a note at   feedback@verywell.com.         You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.   A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2022 verywellhealth.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy