CDC revises it’s herd immunity targets

The CDC have revised the recommendation of vaccinating a specific number of individuals as the end goal, instead the focus is now on reducing mortality and the spread of infection for a certain period of time. The CDC have not yet determined the details of this period and how long it must be sustained to deem any public health interventions as successful. Furthermore, the term herd immunity will be replaced by community immunity to emphasize the factors that influence transmission at the local level. Read the full news article here, and the CDC update here

$1.85 trillion infrastructure bill to build back better

President Biden signed a bill into law that aims to improve the nation’s infrastructure, from upgrading electrical grids to cleaning up superfund sites. A significant amount will be dedicated to tackling environmental issues such as removing lead from water systems, improving climate resiliency, cleaning up environmental issues overseen by the EPA, targeting racial inequity, investing in climate change action, and expanding transportation to underserved rural areas. Read the New York Times article here

Dr. Jacqueline Merrill: the co-developer of the public health emergency competencies

Dr. Jacqueline Merrill, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, FACMI is interviewed by Dr. Robyn Gershon and delves into her career from starting as a nursing graduate working in critical care to becoming the director for public health preparedness at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

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