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Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
@johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
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The @jhu.edu Bloomberg School of Public Health

https://publichealth.jhu.edu/
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johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
So, what IS public health?

We went to @jhu.edu Homewood campus and asked students what they think public health is. Here's how they responded (really good in our opinion!)

Drop below what question we should ask next
November 14, 2025 at 9:02 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
illustration of a thumbs up and yogurt. Text reads: On the other end: Some UPFs actually have healthy benefits to them. For example: Whole grain breads, low-fat yogurts, instant oatmeal, and jarred pasta sauces have lower levels of saturated fats and added sugars while containing a plethora of nutrients that help reduce disease risk. Baked beans have been shown to support heart health by lowering cholesterol, improving digestive health through fiber, and helping stabilize blood sugar. Reducing Consumption of bad UPFs: There are realistic solutions to limiting our ultra-processed food intake. For example: Educating the public about UPFS through improved front-of-package food labels. Taxes and policy changes for food production companies (like the soda tax). But recognizing that these foods are widely used—and why—would be crucial. UPFs save time and effort, but most importantly, they are more affordable. If policy changes are put into action, “we need to help people afford the alternative,” says Julia Wolfson, associate professor in International Health. Illustration of a lot of whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, and fish. Text reads: On an individual level, reducing UPF intake can be a gradual process. If possible, you should: Keep healthy foods at home and try not to purchase UPFs when at the grocery store. Read labels and ingredient lists, looking for foods that have only a few pronounceable, recognizable ingredients. Try substituting fruit or vegetables for ultra-processed foods. Use minimally processed frozen or canned options if fresh fruit or vegetables aren’t available. Replace sugary beverages with water.
November 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
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What are ultra-processed foods (UPFs)? The term “ultra-processed foods” originated from the Nova food classification system, ranging from least to most processed: Unprocessed/minimally processed: fruit, vegetables, milk, or fish. 2. Processed culinary ingredients: salt, sugar, olive oil, and butter. 3. Processed: jam, pickles, or canned fruit. 4. Ultra-processed: energy drinks, instant oatmeal, sliced bread, or hot dogs What’s actually in UPFs? UPFs have one or more ingredients that wouldn’t be found in a kitchen, like: Chemical-based preservatives, Emulsifiers like hydrogenated oils, Sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup, Artificial colors and flavors. They also undergo processing techniques like pre-frying, molding, extrusion, fractioning, and other chemical alterations, leaving the final product bearing almost no resemblance to the original ingredients. But not all ultra-processed foods are the same. Illustration of a donut, chips, an energy drink, applesauce, peanut butter, and cereal. Text reads: When thinking of UPFs, one might only think of “junk foods,” like donuts, energy drinks, chips, candy, boxed mac and cheese, frozen pizza, and lunch meat. they are UPFs, but so are: High-fiber breakfast cereals, most granola or protein bars, applesauce, plant-based “meat” burgers, liquid egg whites, and nut butters. Don’t get us wrong—a lot of UPFs are associated with worse diet quality and a long list of adverse health outcomes. What’s important is to look at the ingredients in what you are consuming to determine whether or not they are good for you. Illustration of a thumbs down. Text reads: UPFs CAN BE ADDICTIVE. Ultra-processed foods are designed to appeal to the human palate and contain ingredients like sugar, fat, and salt that stimulate the brain's reward system, making it hard to stop eating them. A 2024 review found that diets high in UPFs are linked to 32 health conditions, including: Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, Cardiometabolic diseases, Many cancers, Gastrointestinal disorders, asthma, Anxiety, Depression, Cardiovascular events, and All-cause mortality.
November 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
Most of the foods we eat are ultra-processed. So what does that actually mean?

Swipe to learn what ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are, if they are healthy, and ways that you can reduce bad UPF intake.

To read more: publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/what-ar...
One grocery cart filled with chips, ice cream, instant ramen, and soda. Another cart filled with whole grain bread, almond milk, peanut butter, and cereal. Text reads: Which cart is full of ultra-processed foods (UPFs)? It's a trick question. They both are.
November 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
It's getting cold out...that means it's flu shot season!

Find where you can get yours now: vaccinefinder.org
still from Family Guy of Peter looking at a bandaid on his arm with a doctor standing next to him. Text reads: It's time to get your flu shot Still from Family Guy of Stewie on the couch, sick, with a cup of tea and pain relief medication. Text reads: It’s that time of Year again: Flu Season. The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get a flu vaccine. Flu vaccination also has been shown to reduce the severity of illness in people who get vaccinated, but still get sick. Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine. Still from The Simpsons of the Simpson family on the couch, sick. Text reads: and if you’re sick, stay home. Take actions every day to help stop the spread of germs. The CDC recommends that people who are sick stay home for at least 24 hours, until both are true: Your symptoms are getting better overall, and you have not had a fever and are not using fever-reducing medication. Still from SpongeBob SquarePants of Squidward sick. Text reads: Click the link in caption to find where you can get the flu vaccine
November 11, 2025 at 9:22 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
illustration of an older person talking with a doctor. Text reads: How would these changes to the ACA impact Americans? There’s a concern that many people will be priced out of their plans and drop out. As prices rise, many people can’t afford to pay for health insurance when they have to pay rent and buy food and clothes. People without these subsidies are going to have to make a really difficult choice. Illustration of a hospital. Text reads: The increases have implications beyond just what the individual seeking care is facing. They will also affect hospitals, physicians, drug companies, and everybody else in the health care system. For example: Hospitals are required to treat people that go to the emergency department, regardless of their ability to pay for care. Especially in rural areas, that debt can become a loss for the hospital which could force them to close.
November 6, 2025 at 5:43 PM
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Cuts to Affordable Care Act subsidies highlight a troubling trend in health care costs.

Swipe to learn what this means in insurance costs for Americans.

Read more: publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/whats-b...
Illustration of a telemedicine call, medication, and arrows showing an increase. Text reads: What’s Behind Rising Health Insurance Costs. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted to control rising health care costs—but key subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year. Gerard Anderson, professor in Health Policy and Management and International Health, unpacks elevating insurance costs and the ripple effects across health care providers. This information is sourced from Public Health On Call episode 972. Illustration of a doctor looking at someone who hurt their arm. Text reads: Health insurance premiums are increasing. What’s going on? As open enrollment begins, consumers buying insurance through ACA plans are seeing premiums rise by up to 59%. This is because of service prices, not quantity. It's not that people are using health care services more often than they were previously. It’s that prices for services keep going up, which increases insurance premiums. Illustration of a person on their phone looking at health care plans. Text reads: What role does ACA play in covering costs? About 30 million Americans are on ACA plans right now. These are people who typically do not have employer-based insurance—they work in the gig economy, at small firms that don't offer insurance, or are self-insured, for instance. For someone with an employer-sponsored insurance plan, the employer pays a significant portion of the insurance premium. Something similar happens for people receiving insurance under the Affordable Care Act, except with ACA subsidies, the government pays for part of the premium. illustration of pharmaceuticals. Text reads: Why are insurance costs going to be even higher? In the United States, each state’s market is different. It all depends on what type of insurance you have. Under some insurance plans, premiums are rising rapidly, while other plans might not go up. If you are on an ACA plan, you may now have to pay the full rate of insurance. This happens because the subsidies—your cost-sharing with the government—are being reduced, eliminated, or expiring.
November 6, 2025 at 5:43 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
Kristen Johansson details her journey with Lyme disease and how it led her to public health in the newest issue of Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health magazine.

Read her full story: magazine.publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/when-ly...
Kristen Johansson. Text reads: "Public health is my bridge from personal survival to collective change ... I want my story to lead to a day when patients and scientists alike not only understand Lyme disease but use their superpowers to overcome it.” Kristen Johansson, Molecular and Cellular Biology Student at Johns Hopkins University
November 5, 2025 at 7:08 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
illustration of a person breastfeeding. Text reads: THC sticks around. The main active component in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can be found in breastmilk for at least six days after consumption. THC is stored in body fat, and slowly released over time. The more someone consumes, the more THC accumulates in breastmilk’s high fat content. This means an infant could be exposed to an unknown amount and for an extended period. No matter how cannabis is consumed (smoking, vaping, ingesting, etc.), its byproducts can be found in the breast milk. Illustration of a person breastfeeding. Text reads: Current recommendations: The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage quitting and/or reducing use of cannabis use during breastfeeding. Mothers who continue to use cannabis and wish to breastfeed should discuss the risks and benefits with their medical provider. Illustration of a person breastfeeding. Text reads: short-term impacts: Some observational evidence has shown that using cannabis while breastfeeding can lead to drowsier babies. Lethargic babies may eat less often, which could result in poor weight gain and a need to supplement with formula. Other studies have shown that THC can: Affect breast milk composition by decreasing immunoglobulins and increasing lactose. Inhibit milk supply and the duration of lactation. illustration of a person breastfeeding. Text reads: long-term consequences: Some evidence suggests cannabis use during breastfeeding could raise the potential risk of long-term health effects to infant development, including: Impaired motor development, Cognitive deficits, and Hyperactivity. However: More research is needed on the both the long- and short-term effects of cannabis use during lactation.
November 4, 2025 at 4:26 PM
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Increasing legalization and scant research on today’s cannabis products is complicating guidance for nursing mothers.

Swipe to learn what we know.

magazine.publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/cannabi...
Illustration of a person breastfeeding. Text reads: is it okay to use cannabis while breastfeeding? The medical guidance during pregnancy is clear: Don't use cannabis. During the postpartum period, it gets more complicated.
November 4, 2025 at 4:26 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
Illustration of grocery receipt. Text reads: It’s not just SNAP recipients who will feel the sting. Without SNAP, food banks will be asked to do even more. Without funds to purchase groceries, SNAP recipients will need to turn to other resources like food banks or faith-based organizations. These organizations will then need additional community support, and may not be able to fill the gaps. Additionally, every dollar of SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in economic activity. Loss of benefits could hurt businesses where people spend SNAP dollars, including grocery stores and farmers who grow, supply, and sell those foods. This could mean a rise in food prices. How can you help: As food prices continue to rise and federal support shrinks, communities are filling the gap. Donate Smart. Shelf-stable proteins like beans, canned fish, peanut butter, and cooking oil are always in demand. Spices and whole grains go a long way. Financial donations are even more effective, because they allow food banks to buy in bulk. Volunteer. Help pack food boxes, tend a community garden, or serve after-school meals. Food banks depend on a network of hands-on support. advocate. Advocate for targeted policy changes.
October 29, 2025 at 7:19 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
Illustration of a checklist with vegetables in front of it. Text reads: What is SNAP? SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) helps an average of 41.7 million Americans per month. That’s 1 in 8 people. The program is funded by the federal government, but is administered by the states. After a family or individual is approved for SNAP, they receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card. Benefit amounts are determined using the USDA Thrifty Food Plan, a calculation based on what a family of four would need to have three low-cost, healthy meals a day. The money cannot be spent on tobacco, alcohol, nonfood items, or, in most cases, prepared foods. Illustration of family eating at a table. Text reads: Who does SNAP serve? SNAP serves the most vulnerable households including those with children, an elderly individual, or a nonelderly individual with a disability. Participants who apply must meet certain eligibility standards based on their income, assets, household size, immigration status, and proof of employment. “Families rely on SNAP benefits to help them have enough food; without those benefits, we risk a hunger crisis that the emergency food system will struggle to address,” says BSPH faculty member Julia Wolfson. Illustration of a person looking something up on the computer. Text reads: SNAP in the news: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said that SNAP participants won’t receive checks starting November 1, and contingency funding will be withheld, due to the government shutdown. “In the past, states have picked up the benefits when government shutdowns impacted SNAP, but there was a guarantee that the states would get that money back,” says BSPH faculty member Susan Gross. But as of now, there’s no provision for them to be reimbursed. Recipients should check with their state regarding SNAP funding and other resources that are available to them. Illustration of empty grocery cart. Text reads: What happens without SNAP? Without SNAP, there could be a public health crisis of food insecurity and hunger that could have long-term negative health impacts for millions of Americans, says Wolfson. Loss of SNAP benefits often means a shift in household spending. People need to decide where the money they have goes. For example: utilities, housing, health care, or food. And hunger doesn’t stay at home; it follows kids to school. Children who are hungry can’t focus on learning, and often struggle with emotional regulation.
October 29, 2025 at 7:19 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
SNAP, America’s largest anti-hunger program, provides supplemental food benefits for over 40 million people.

Swipe to learn what the program is, why it has been at the top of newsfeeds, and what would happen without SNAP.

publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/what-is...
Illustration of carrots, bread, and canned goods. Text reads: SNAP matters. Commonly known as food stamps, SNAP is America’s largest anti-hunger program. Swipe to learn more.
October 29, 2025 at 7:19 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
What is mpox? Mpox is a virus in the smallpox family. There are two types of mpox, clade I and clade II. Clade II mpox, which is less deadly, has been circulating at low levels in the U.S. since 2022. Clade I typically leads to a higher rate of severe illness or death. It’s transmitted through: animals who carry the disease, close sexual or intimate contact, household contacts, and contaminated objects. What are the symptoms? One of the more common symptoms associated with mpox is a rash. Other symptoms include: fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and sore throat. While most people recover within two to four weeks, children, pregnant people, and those who are immunocompromised are most at risk of serious illness or death. The public health emergency: In 2024, there was an uptick of calde I mpox cases in the DRC. This outbreak showed the first evidence of human-to-human sexual transmission of this more lethal version of the virus. This version, specifically clade Ib, quickly drove more than 19,000 known cases and at least 601 deaths in an area where it was difficult to deploy public health tools like surveillance and vaccines. What you need to know: Until last week, there were no known cases of locally acquired clade Ib mpox in the U.S. The recent detection of three cases in California, with no known travel history, is concerning. Experts will be watching for signs of household or community transmission, monitoring for severe outcomes, and working to expand access to mpox vaccines, according to Khalifa. People who have symptoms should seek medical care and can be vaccinated.
October 27, 2025 at 7:57 PM
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Since a major global outbreak of mpox in 2022, clade II mpox has been circulating at low levels in the U.S.

But three new cases in California were identified as clade I mpox, a much more lethal form of the virus. BSPH doctoral student @drbanda.bsky.social shares insight on what this means.
In 2024, the WHO declared a public health emergency due to a rise in mpox clade Ib cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Three mpox cases in California could mean a notable shift in the global outbreak. The cases were acquired locally—meaning none of the patients had traveled to an endemic area—and were unrelated to each other. According to BSPH doctoral student Banda Khalifa, this could signal early domestic community transmission. Here’s what you need to know.
October 27, 2025 at 7:57 PM
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COVID vaccines are now available to anyone—no prescription needed! Swipe for resources on where to find one near you.
Graph answering whether or not you can get a COVID vaccine. Text reads: Can you get a COVID Vaccine? Are you younger than 6 months? Wow! Look at you reading already! But no, the vaccine is not approved for anyone under 6 months old. Are you 6 months or older? YES, you can. Are you without a prescription? Yes, you can. Are you covered by insurance? Yes* *Like in previous years, COVID and flu vaccines are covered at no cost under most health insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Vaccines for Children Program, and by insurance plans regulated by the Affordable Care Act. Are you over age 65 or immunocompromised? Definitely, yes. Are you pregnant? Yes, you can. Text reads: Where can I get a vaccine? Vaccines are available through pharmacies and health care providers. Your local health department may also offer seasonal vaccine clinics. Here are tools for locating one near you: VaxAssist at vaxassist.com. VaccineFinder at vaccinefinder.org. CVEEP Vaccine Locator at veep.org/vaccine-locator.
October 23, 2025 at 7:45 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
Dean Pollack Porter, a born and raised New Yorker, is more than ready to cheer for the Knicks in their season opener tonight! 🏀

... don't worry, she's not dissing Baltimore, we don't have an NBA team lol

Who are you cheering for? (I heard her husband is rooting for the Cavs 👀)
Dean Pollack Porter in a Knicks jersey
October 22, 2025 at 7:27 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
The combined MMR vaccine provides lifesaving protection against infections of measles, mumps, and rubella.

On Public Health On Call, Dr. William Moss details the history of MMR vaccines and the public health dangers posed by changing the recommendations.
podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/963-separati...
October 21, 2025 at 7:48 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
Illustration of the pharmaceutical "RX" symbol. Text reads: Where Is Mifepristone Dispensed? Mifepristone cannot be purchased over the counter. It must be prescribed by certified providers, such as doctors, nurses, or health clinics that meet certain qualifications. Patients can pick up prescriptions from retail pharmacies that are authorized to dispense mifepristone or have them delivered by mail. Where available, mifepristone is sold in the U.S. under the brand name Mifeprex and as a generic. Twenty-eight states currently restrict access to medication abortion; 12 states that restrict access also have total abortion bans. States that currently restrict access to medication abortion (some access to mifepristone): Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. States that have complete abortion bans (no access to mifepristone): Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia. "Self-managed abortion with medications is very safe, but people need a way to access these medications. Without them, people might potentially seek unsafe ways to terminate their pregnancies ... like resorting to unsafe [medication] suppliers that are not in the U.S.” Carolyn Sufrin, Associate Professor in Health, Behavior and Society Illustration of a checklist. Text reads: What an FDA Review Could Mean for Mifepristone: In late September 2025, the FDA announced they would be reviewing evidence about the safety and efficacy of the drug. “If [the FDA’s] review disregards the decades of safety evidence that we have, the consequences will be profound,” according to Sufrin. While a full ban is unlikely, the review could potentially: create new barriers to access, limit the drug’s availability through telehealth or by mail, or place more restrictions on who is able to prescribe it.
October 16, 2025 at 8:21 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
What is mifepristone, aka “the abortion pill”?

A lot of misinformation and skepticism exist around the drug’s safety. However, decades of evidence have shown that mifepristone is extremely safe and very effective.

Swipe to learn more about the medication.

publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/what-is...
Illustration of mifepristone box. Text reads: Mifepristone aka “The Abortion Pill” Mifepristone is a U.S. FDA-approved oral medication used to end a pregnancy up to 70 days into gestation. Nearly 40 years of research have shown that mifepristone is extremely safe and effective. Swipe to learn more. Illustration of a uterus. Text reads: How Does Mifepristone Work? Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, which is required to sustain a pregnancy. Without progesterone, a fertilized egg will detach from the uterine wall, and the uterus will contract. Misoprostol, taken after mifepristone, brings on further contractions, causing the uterus to expel the fertilized egg and other tissue. The two-drug regimen can be used in the comfort and privacy of a person’s own home. Graphic of two circular pills. Text reads: Is Mifepristone Safe? YES. It’s currently authorized for use in 96 countries, including the U.S.—where it was approved by the FDA in 2000. Nearly four decades of peer-reviewed research have found it to be safe. The risk of serious complications from a medication abortion is less than 1%. Of the 7.5 million+ people in the U.S. who used mifepristone between 2000–2024, only 36 deaths associated with the medication were reported, and no deaths were directly attributed to the drug. Source: FDA "Mifepristone is one of the most rigorously researched medications—and has been safely and effectively used by millions of pregnant people globally during the last nearly 40 years.” Suzanne Bell, Associate Professor in Population, Family and Reproductive Health
October 16, 2025 at 8:21 PM
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Testing During Pregnancy: Since 1988, the CDC has recommended hepatitis B testing during pregnancy—most recent guidance specifies the first trimester. This doesn’t eliminate the child’s risk entirely: The test result could be a false negative. The mother could acquire hepatitis B between testing and birth. Not everyone gets tested. It doesn’t account for the hepatitis B status of other caregivers or household members. The Vaccine is Extremely Effective: The hepatitis B vaccine is delivered as a 3–4-dose series starting at birth and completing by 15 months of age. When given within 24 hours of birth, it's up to 90% effective in preventing transmission from birth. After completing the doses, 98% of healthy infants achieve full immunity that lasts 30+ years. When the series starts at birth, it can reduce a person's risk of liver cancer by 84% and death from liver disease by 70%. The Vaccine Has a Long Safety Record. As with any vaccine, the CDC monitors the safety of the hepatitis B vaccine and has repeatedly found it to be extremely safe. Severe reactions are rare, and the vaccine is not associated with an increased risk of infant death, fever or sepsis, multiple sclerosis, or autoimmune conditions. “There is no evidence to suggest that hepatitis B vaccination at birth is risky compared to the benefits it offers, particularly given the high risk of chronic infection in unvaccinated infants exposed to the virus.” William Moss, Executive Director of the International Vaccine Access Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
October 15, 2025 at 2:42 PM
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What is Hepatitis B? Hepatitis B virus is an extremely contagious virus that infects the liver. It's the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide. It’s transmitted through bodily fluids and can survive on surfaces for up to seven days. It can be transmitted sexually or through contaminated needles, but it is not solely transmitted in these ways. One of the most common transmission routes is during birth from an infected mother. About 640,000 adults in the U.S. have chronic hepatitis B, per the CDC. But up to half of people aren't aware of their infection, as it often presents asymptomatically until there are signs of liver failure or cancer. Hepatitis B Risk in Babies: In addition to hepatitis B transmission at birth, infants are susceptible to infection by a caregiver or household member, even if that person has no symptoms. This is known as “horizontal transmission” and can occur through contact with even microscopic amounts of infected blood—on a shared surface or an infected person’s cut or scrape, for example. Infants infected with hepatitis B are unlikely to show symptoms of an acute infection. But up to 90% of babies infected during the first year of life will develop chronic infection.
October 15, 2025 at 2:42 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
The hepatitis B vaccination is an essential safety net for newborns.

Without vaccination, as many as 9 in 10 infants infected with hepatitis B in their first year of life will develop chronic infection that can lead to liver failure and death.

publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/why-hep...
Why Does Hepatitis B Vaccination Begin at Birth? The virus is extremely infectious. Newborns and infants are vulnerable to developing lifelong chronic infection. It has consistently been proven safe and effective. Since 1991, when a birth dose was recommended for all newborns, infections with hepatitis B virus in children and teens have decreased by 99%.
October 15, 2025 at 2:42 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
text on slide reads: Combination vaccines are rigorously studied to ensure they don’t impact the vaccine’s safety or reduce the effectiveness of any component. text on slide reads: Additionally, monovalent measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines are not currently available in the U.S. text on slide reads: For more information about the MMR vaccine, head to our link in caption.
October 8, 2025 at 4:50 PM
johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
Breaking up the combination MMR vaccine would mean that children would receive six injections instead of two. But that's not all.

Swipe to learn more about the MMR vaccine and the other issues that would arise from separating it.

publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/what-to...
text on slide reads: the MMR vaccine has been combined for decades...and for good reason. text on slide reads: What is the MMR vaccine? The MMR vaccine is a combination vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella. The vaccine contains weakened versions of the viruses they protect against—inducing an immune response without causing disease. Children in the U.S. receive the vaccination twice—first at 12–15 months old, and then at 4–6 years old. text on slide reads: Why is the MMR vaccine better bundled? Instead of getting vaccinated for the measles, mumps, and rubella separately, the MMR vaccine protects children with fewer shots. Vaccinating for each virus separately would require more doctors' visits, meaning: More injections and stress on the child. Additional copays for more vaccine visits. More time taken off work. Higher likelihood of missing a vaccination. text on slide reads: There is no published scientific evidence showing any benefit in separating the combination MMR vaccine.
October 8, 2025 at 4:50 PM