CDC Tries A Rebrand To Promote This Season’s Flu Vaccine Program
The surprising "Wild to Mild" campaign contrasts pictures of wild animals with cute pets as a metaphor for how a flu shot can tame the potentially dangerous illness. The campaign is all about setting reasonable expectations for the vaccine. Also in the news: Republican voter vaccine skepticism.
CIDRAP:
CDC Launches ‘Wild To Mild’ Flu Vaccine Campaign
In an effort to rebrand and rightsize expectations on the seasonal influenza vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) late last week launched a new campaign, called “Wild to Mild.” Decorated with pictures of ferocious wild animals paired against mild house pets, the campaign portrays the flu shot as a way to lessen severity of illness, and not necessarily prevent the virus. (Soucheray, 9/25)
CBS News:
In New Effort To Reset Flu Shot Expectations, CDC To Avoid Messages That "Could Be Seen As A Scare Tactic"
"People are more likely to perceive messages as credible and trustworthy if they set realistic expectations about what vaccines can and cannot do," the CDC's Sara Dodge Ramey told a panel of federal vaccine advisers at a meeting Friday. ... That led to them rolling out a campaign this year carefully crafted to "avoid messages that could be seen as a scare tactic," she said, acknowledging some voiced "fatigue" around talking about important steps to avoid dying from respiratory diseases this fall and winter. (Tin, 9/25)
On how attitudes toward vaccination have become polarized —
Politico:
Our New Poll Shows Just How Much GOP Voters Have Diverged From Everyone Else On Vaccines
A majority of voters overall see advantages to vaccination, though there’s a large partisan divide on the question. Among Democratic voters, 76 percent said they “care more about potential health benefits than the potential health risks of vaccines.” But among Republicans, it’s split evenly: 51 percent care more about the potential health risks, while 49 percent care more about the benefits. (Shepard, 9/23)
On a historic vaccination campaign —
KFF Health News:
The Tata Way
Episode 5 of the “Eradicating Smallpox” podcast explores how a partnership between public health institutions and a huge, influential private company was key in the campaign to eliminate smallpox. (9/26)
