JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) -Health professionals sat down to discuss the variety of health issues the state faces.
Epidemiologists have a seen an uptick in infants with pertussis, also known as whooping cough.
State Health Officer Dr. Daniel Edney says vaccine numbers have been trending down for diseases like whooping cough, measles, tetanus and other routine vaccinations putting more people at risk.
“We’re working with the providers to really promote to my age folks that protect your grandbabies by keeping your pertussis vaccine up to date.”
As the upcoming school year, approaches M-D-H-S has launched a “Keep Your Vax Straight” to inform the public about the importance of vaccines.
“Those who are looking for the truth vaccinations not in a preachy judgmental way, but just, you know, here’s what we have known for decades, you know, safety and the importance of vaccines. And so now we’ll push harder in the protective space.”
The board also discussed how they plan to navigate a potential 30% decrease in federal funding and what areas could be affected.
“There’s some important funding for disaster preparedness that has already been cut, and we think those cuts will stand. HIV funding is likely to be cut. Maternal Child Health Block Grant is looking like they will take a substantial cut, which is very worrisome as we’re fighting so hard to mitigate maternal infant death in our state.”
Edney says the State Department of Health will do the best they can to continue to advocate for MS’s public health.
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