‘Tis the season for gratitude, gridiron and immunization

Thanksgiving is full of traditions around the dinner table and for many families, around the TV too, as the holiday weekend is traditionally full of intense college football rivalry games. Iron Bowl, The Game, Backyard Brawl, Civil War, Duel in the Desert, Apple Cup, Crab Bowl.

It’s no different here in Nevada, where the 2016 Battle for Nevada between the Wolf Pack and the Rebels is happening at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.

But before kickoff happens, there are two important questions that need to be asked: did you get your flu vaccine? And Rebel red or Wolf Pack blue?

Students, alumni, faculty/staff and fans – it’s time to roll up your sleeve, take one for your team, and show your school pride. By getting your flu shot, you can help your team win another prize: the Fremont Syringe for the most vaccinated fans in the Nevada Flu Vaccine Challenge. The Battle for Nevada game may take hours, but getting vaccinated takes just a few minutes! Not sure where to go? Vaccinefinder.org allows Nevadans to input their zip code, generating a list of locations nearby offering influenza and other vaccines.

Years of research have shown flu vaccination is the best way of preventing influenza — for ourselves, our family members and anyone we interact with in our daily lives. By getting vaccinated you’re ensuring those that are too young, have a compromised immune system, undergoing cancer treatment, an expectant mother – are protected too. They’re thankful you got your flu vaccine. And I’m thankful too. Nevada traditionally has had low flu vaccination rates — we ranked last in 2014. Our rates are slowly increasing, and we had fewer pediatric deaths during the 2015-16 season than the season prior. A flu vaccine is an ultimate act of paying it forward – one that keeps on giving throughout the season.

Successes like these translate to healthier and protected communities. At Immunize Nevada, we’re grateful for physicians whose offices vaccinate; public health and community clinics servicing the underserved; pharmacies extending their scope of practice; school nurses helping students start school on time; funders providing financial resources; and donors wanting to better their communities.

As you gather with family and friends to eat turkey and watch your favorite rivalry game, I hope you are thankful too. Thankful to live in a community protected from disease, a community that cares about its most vulnerable members, and a community full of health care superheroes making a difference each and every day.

Don’t forget – you can be a flu superhero too! Log on to influencenevada.org, enter your flu shot information and declare your team loyalty – Nevada is counting on you.

Heidi Parker is the executive director of Immunize Nevada.