VacciNation

Fighting Flu Vaccine Myths: How to Effectively Dispel Misinformation

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Mirella Salvatore, MD From fears of getting the flu from the shot to concerns about ingredients like thimerosal, myths about the flu vaccine persist, underscoring the need for clinicians to effectively address misinformation and build vaccine confidence. So to help debunk some of the most common flu vaccine myths, Dr. Charles Turck speaks with Dr. Mirella Salvatore, an infectious disease specialist, Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, Medical Director in the Community Healthcare Network, and a Research Associate Professor at New York University.

Implementing ACIP's 2025 Flu Vaccine Guidelines Across Patient Populations

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: Darvin Scott Smith, MD Guest: Robert Danoff DO, MS, FACOFP, FAAFP As of July 2025, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) released new recommendations for influenza vaccination, stating that single-dose thimerosal-free formulations are now required for children up to 18, pregnant individuals, and all adults. While this new guidance may help strengthen public trust in immunization, it's important to consider how to implement it across patient populations, such as elderly, pediatric, pregnant, and immunocompromised groups. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to discuss practical strategies for protecting all patients under the new recommendations are Drs. Darvin Smith and Rob Danoff. Dr. Smith is an infectious disease specialist at San Mateo Medical Center in San Mateo, California, and Dr. Danoff is the Program Director of both the Family Medicine Residency and the Combined Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine Residency at Jefferson Health Northeast in Philadelphia, as well as a Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.

From Pertussis to Polio: Why Routine Childhood Vaccination Matters More Than Ever

Guest: Paul Offit, MD Despite the rarity of diseases like polio and diphtheria in the U.S., recent cases underscore that these threats persist when immunization rates decline. Meanwhile, more common infections like pertussis and hepatitis B continue to pose serious risks to unprotected children. Here to talk about the importance of timely and routine childhood vaccination is Dr. Paul A. Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center and a Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

From Hesitancy to Trust: Personalizing Vaccine Discussions with Patients

Guest: Ruth Carrico, PhD, DNP, APRN* In the post-COVID landscape, healthcare providers face a new communication challenge: countering misinformation while building trust in vaccine recommendations. To help combat this, Dr. Ruth Carrico joins us to share how her approach to patient engagement has shifted from simply informing to actively listening and collaborating. Dr. Carrico is a family nurse practitioner based in Louisville, Kentucky and an Adjunct Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Pediatric Flu Vaccination: Strategies for Addressing Parental Concerns

Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP Guest: C. Buddy Creech, MD, MPH Guest: Wendy Wright, DNP, FNP-BC, ANP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP Pediatric influenza vaccination rates are consistently lower than other childhood immunizations, a problem that’s often driven by parental hesitancy. Whether it's a lack of understanding of the possible severity of the flu or deeply held beliefs about the vaccine's safety, knowing how to address parents' concerns is key to improving uptake and protecting children from getting sick. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to discuss these concerns and provide practical recommendations on building confidence in the flu shot are Drs. Buddy Creech and Wendy Wright. Dr. Creech is Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, and he's also the Director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program and leads NIH- and CDC- funded vaccine safety efforts. Dr. Wright is a board-certified adult and family nurse practitioner based out of Amherst, New Hampshire, as well as the owner of the Wright and Associates Family Healthcare.