The Eastern Highlands Health District of Mansfield has begun a new train-themed Get on Board campaign to educate the public about COVID-19 and flu vaccines for this season.
The campaign banner displays the message, “Get on board. Stay on Track. Get Vaxed.” As of June 2024, the CDC recommends everyone who is 6 months and older receive an updated flu vaccine and an updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024-2025 season, according to an EHHD press release.
According to EHHD Director of Health, Rob Miller, both the flu and COVID-19 especially can pose a serious problem for vulnerable populations, both nationally and in the Mansfield community.
“It’s extremely important for families and persons, especially those at high risk of ill health associated with the seasonal respiratory viral illnesses, to get their flu shot and COVID-19 shots,” Miller said in an interview. “We continue to experience not only as a nation but also as a local area, the adverse effects in our population from viral respiratory illnesses. While seasonal flu is something everybody is generally aware of…at the same time COVID-19 continues to be a serious problem for those who are vulnerable.”
This year’s campaign features messages on radio stations, television, at gas stations and on social media, using “images, sounds and expressions associated with passenger trains and classic locomotives,” according to the press release.
According to Miller, the idea to make a train-themed campaign is new this year, and it also marks the first time the health district has crafted such a campaign.
“This [idea] is brand new for us. This is really the first time which we’ve engaged in the development and design, and implementation of what is essentially an original campaign of this type,” Miller said.
The EHHD partnered with a firm called The Creative Quill to develop the campaign and train theme, according to the press release.
“Working in partnership with [The Creative Quill] we’ve been able to put what is a pretty good concept together,” Miller added. “Everybody knows what a train is and there’s a universal appeal to it, and certainly, quite a few children understood what trains were growing up…and there is a real appeal for trains across cultures and age groups.”
The press release states that vaccination, “remains the safest strategy for avoiding hospitalizations, long-term health outcomes, and death.” The press release also clarifies that it is safe to receive the COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time.
“Co-administration of vaccines refers to the common clinical practice of giving or getting more than one vaccine during a visit. While there are some exceptions, getting a flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit is recommended if you are eligible and the timing for each vaccine is right. Ask your doctor what is right for you,” explained EHHD Community Health & Wellness Coordinator, Cecile Serazo, RN.
Miller said he hopes the campaign will prove effective in spreading the message and educating families about the importance of vaccination.
“We’re hoping to get this message out there and that it is effective in empowering some families to get their COVID shots. COVID-19 is still out there, the seasonal flu is still out there, and it is important for people to go out, take the time to get on board, stay on track and get vaxed,” Miller said, referencing the campaign message.
Additional information regarding the EHHD’s work, their vaccine clinics and campaign can be found on their website.