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Improve Access to Immunizations - 03/01/2021

Vaccinations are important, safe, and effective. They defend our families, our community, and our economy from infectious diseases. The COVID 19 pandemic clearly illustrates what can happen when a vaccine does not exist to ward off a deadly infectious disease.

TMA Grants Can Help Your Practice Improve Local Vaccination Rates - 02/23/2021

Apply for a grant. Vaccines Defend What Matters (formerly Be Wise – Immunize) is TMA’s integrated, multimedia public health education and advocacy effort to overcome vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates in Texas. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments Will Resume in Texas This Week - 02/23/2021

The latest COVID-19 vaccines information as of Feb. 23, 2021

Apply Now For A Grant to Promote Vaccines in Your Community - 02/23/2021

The TMA Foundation is offering local impact grants of up to $3,500 to fund vaccination activities, educational resources, and community outreach events. County medical societies, TMA Alliance chapters, medical student chapters, and TMA member-physician practices/clinics can apply for a grant before March 8.

COVID-19 Vaccines: Encourage Undocumented Immigrants to Receive Vaccines - 02/10/2021

The latest information on COVID-19 vaccines as of Feb. 10, 2021

Reminder: Physicians Must Order Second Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine - 02/10/2021

Physicians and facilities that administer COVID-19 vaccines should remember that the state will no longer automatically send second doses. Instead, physicians and facilities must request an allotment of second doses seven to 14 days after receiving first doses.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) - 02/05/2021

Since the 1980s, pertussis cases in the United States have increased, especially among adolescents and adults. The best way to prevent pertussis infections among adolescents and adults is a Tdap booster.

Texas is No. 1 in “Hotspots” For Vaccine Exemptions - 02/05/2021

Houston, Fort Worth, Plano, and Austin are among the cities in the nation with the highest number of kindergartners who have not received vaccinations because of nonmedical reasons, according to the study published this week in the journal PLOS Medicine.

Physicians Are Right to Avoid Wasting Vaccine - 02/04/2021

Statement by Texas Medical Association (TMA) President Diana L. Fite, MD, and Harris County Medical Society President Gary J. Sheppard, MD, about situations physicians and health care workers might face when trying to administer all COVID-19 vaccine without wasting it. This issue emerged after Houston authorities leveled accusations against a local physician.

Talk to Patients About: Vaccines and SIDS - 02/01/2021

Over the years, several vaccines have been blamed for SIDS, including those for pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Hemophilus influenzae type B, polio, and hepatitis B. This misconception has triggered a lot of scientific study to find out if vaccines could, in fact, cause SIDS. However, multiple studies and safety reviews have concluded that the answer is no, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Support State Graduate Medical Education Funding - 02/01/2021

Having an adequate number of graduate medical education (GME) positions is fundamental in preparing physicians needed for Texas. The state’s medical schools are doing their part to educate more physicians. If there are not enough GME positions to train graduates in a medical specialty, those physicians can be expected to leave the state for training elsewhere, and many who leave will not return to practice in the state.

COVID-19 Vaccines Can Be Administered Up to Six Weeks After First - 01/25/2021

The latest COVID-19 vaccine news as of Jan. 25, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccines Report, Jan.15, 2021: CDC Provides Vaccine Allergy Recommendations - 01/15/2021

The latest COVID-19 vaccine news as of Jan. 15, 2021

Talk to Patients About: What Is ImmTrac2? - 01/14/2021

ImmTrac2, Texas’ revised immunization registry, is designed to help people keep their vaccine records in order. Texas residents who sign up can have their immunization records stored for free, allowing physicians, schools, and other authorized people to see which shots a person has received and which ones they’ve missed.

Five Simple Things You Can Do for Your Practice - 01/14/2021

The only way for you to effect "real change" is through the legislative process. Here are five simple things you can do for your practice starting today - right at your desk.

Medical Student Chapter Updates - 01/08/2021

The TMA-MSS will be posting chapter highlights on our Facebook page throughout the year.

TMA-MSS Chapter Update: The University of Texas Medical Branch Medical School - 01/08/2021

The University of Texas Medical Branch's TMA-MSS has been working hard to engage medical students in outreach and advocacy efforts. Get the latest on their efforts thus far.

Write a TMA-MSS Supported Resolution - 01/08/2021

To submit a resolution to the TMA House of Delegates that has support of the entire section please review the following links.

Talk to Patients About: Flu Shot Myths - 01/05/2021

It’s no secret that many patients don’t take the annual vaccine for influenza as seriously as their physicians would like. During the 2019-20 flu season, just over half of Americans 6 months or older – 51.8% – got their flu shots, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That was up 2.6% from the previous season.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy - 01/04/2021

Physicians have proven ways to respond to patients’ reluctance on vaccines.

Last Chance to Order Bicycle Helmets to Give to Your Community’s Children - 12/22/2020

Although the Texas Medical Association’s Hard Hats for Little Heads program will pause in early 2021 because of COVID-19, TMA’s remaining helmet inventory is available for purchase through the end of December for use at “safe” giveaways in the new year, such as during well-checks.

Texas Physicians Get First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine - 12/17/2020

Fast, smooth, relatively painless. That’s the way Texas Medical Association President Diana L. Fite, MD, described her experience as part of the state’s first batch of essential health care workers to receive initial doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.

TCEP Kicks Off Hard Hats for Little Heads Collaboration - 12/16/2020

More than 300 students at Waverly Park Elementary School in Fort Worth received some early holiday cheer in late November with a free bicycle helmet from the Texas College of Emergency Physicians in conjunction with TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads program.

Hard Hats for Little Heads to Take Hiatus in Early 2021 - 12/08/2020

Because health fairs and similar community events aren’t a safe option right now, the Texas Medical Association will pause Hard Hats operations in early 2021.

New TMA Ads Remind Texans of the Importance of Vaccines - 12/03/2020

In a new ad campaign that debuted during the Democratic National Convention, TMA reminds Texans of the many ways vaccinations protect us. A second ad will run Thursday, Aug. 27, during the closing night of the Republican National Convention.