According to a recent article in the journal Health Affairs, effective vaccination requires four elements: generating demand for the vaccine, allocating the vaccine, distributing the vaccine, and verifying coverage.

The National League for Nursing, the premier organization for nursing education leaders, emphasizes the importance of educating health professionals and the public about the vaccine.

Vaccines in general work by encouraging the body to generate antibodies to protect against an invading infection. The risks of these mild symptoms however, such as pain at the site of injection or symptoms resembling a mild case of the flu, are greatly outweighed by the protection offered by the vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccines are becoming available from multiple pharmaceutical companies. Some require two doses to be fully effective, but other vaccines in development require only one dose. The safety of the public is a top priority, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have developed v-safe, a smartphone-based tool that uses text messages and online surveys to follow individuals after they are vaccinated. The tool allows users to report symptoms and side effects quickly and easily, and to receive guidance on what to do for any side effects that occur.

The National League for Nursing also emphasizes the importance of vaccine uptake in Black, Latino, and Native American communities, many of which are medically underserved in the best of times. Nurses and nurse educators can do their part to increase trust and vaccine acceptance in these communities,

"Efforts to promote vaccine uptake in the Black community must directly confront and address the deep historical traumas that have created high levels of distrust in the COVID-19 vaccine, and the government and healthcare system overall," according to a survey on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Black and Latino communities conducted by Langer Research Associates.

Latino communities have experienced an especially high burden of COVID-19 infections but the survey data suggests that resistance to vaccination is lower in these communities compared to Black communities.

Overall, equity and access are key to protecting the public, and messaging about the importance of getting a vaccine as soon as it is available should be "open, honest, and comprehensive," according to the National League for Nursing.

For more information about how nurses and nurse educators are taking the lead in educating the public about the safety and importance of COVID-19 vaccination, visit NLN.org.

The benefits of understanding finances at a young age will contribute to children's economic success at all stages of life, so it is never too early to start teaching them about smart money management.

"By providing our children with firsthand experience in earning, saving, and spending money, they are more likely to develop a savvy sensibility and the framework necessary to manage their personal finances as adults," says Marguerita Cheng, CFP®, a certified financial planner professional and mom of three.

The CFP Board, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting professional standards in personal financial planning, offers four important tips to help you teach kids about money:

- Make money management a family affair. Get the whole family involved in financial planning. Talk to your kids about how they think money should be spent, such as saving for college, taking vacations, or dining out, and how to balance short-term indulgences and long-term financial planning goals.

- Model smart spending. Let your kids know how you spend and save on a daily basis. Take them to the grocery store and explain saving money with coupons and sales, and how monthly expenses such as Internet and phone bills, as well as water and electricity, are part of a household budget. Explain how turning off lights saves money, as does making turkey soup for dinner with leftovers after Thanksgiving.

- Let kids earn money. While not all parents approve of allowances, consider giving your child the opportunity to handle his or her own money, whether it is a regular allowance, small stipend, or money gifts from relatives for a birthday or special occasion.

- Establish a savings plan. Open a savings account for children. Show them statements and explain how money grows. Older children can have access to accounts to make deposits and withdrawals for food, clothes, games, and activities with friends. Kids may make some mistakes, but avoid the urge to rescue them. One experience with an overdraft charge on an account can be a valuable lesson for a lifetime of smart money management.

Visit letsmakeaplan.org today for more financial planning tips and guidance for your children or yourself, and to locate a certified financial planner in your area.

When it comes to supplements, more bioavailability is better because the ingredients in the supplement products can be more rapidly absorbed by the body. Pure Craft CBD has demonstrated almost 90 percent absorbability because of the nanoparticles used in production, according to the company. Nanoparticles help keep CBD stable as it is consumed, so it is absorbed at a consistent concentration rate.

"What sets Pure Craft CBD apart from other companies is its dedication to purity," says founder and CEO Jason Navarrete.

"Pure Craft products are 90 percent bioavailable, where most [similar] companies offer products that are no more than 18 percent bioavailable. That's why Pure Craft's slogan is 'Pure Till The Last Drop,'" he says.

Pure Craft follows a "seed to sale," model.

The company's business starts in partnership with informed and educated cannabis farmers, and includes warehouses for the high-tech cultivation of cannabis, as well as manufacturing sites, distribution facilities, and retail outlets.

Pure Craft CBD is derived from a single strain of cannabis and all the oil is processed in a single facility to help ensure consistent, predictable, effective products. Each batch of oil undergoes in-house and third party testing to ensure purity. In addition, all Pure Craft products come with third-party lab COAs (Certificates of Analysis) so consumers know exactly what they are getting.

Pure Craft products contain no binders, fillers, dyes, or unknown substances. The current product line features 16 items including nanotized water-soluble soft gels and nanotized CBD-infused vegan gummies. In addition, a water-soluble nanotized CBD with melatonin is designed to help with sleep. Other products in the pipeline include a full line of nanotized water-soluble tinctures from 600 to 3,000 mg in flavors of peppermint, tropical, strawberry mojito, orange cream, blueberry, and vanilla.

Visit purecraftcbd.com for more company details and product information.

A new ingestible oral spray from established oral care company TheraBreath gives you a combination of vitamins and minerals designed to boost your immune system and help protect you and your family against colds, flu, and other airborne viruses. The spray is packaged in a small bottle that is easy to take anywhere and use on the go.

"The immunity spray fills an untapped niche of oral products that provide an overall health benefit," says CEO and founder, Dr. Harold Katz, a dentist with an additional degree in bacteriology.

"For many years, folks have overlooked the fact that their mouth and throat are the doorways to the rest of their body," he explains.

"TheraBreath Immunity Support Spray is an easy way for everyone to improve their body's natural immunity."

The spray is based on solid science, and is designed to be a simple and efficient way to improve oral and overall health. Just spray and swallow, and you can enjoy the benefits of a traditional vitamin supplement in a Cherry Lemonade flavor that appeals to all ages.

TheraBreath contains no artificial colors or dyes, but contains natural Acerola and Elderberry extracts, which have strong antioxidant properties and are often used in immunity-boosting products.

Other key ingredients include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, and Copper, all of which can help strengthen your body's immune system and natural defenses against illness.

The spray is certified vegan and gluten-free, as well as NSF-certified to ensure that it contains the ingredients listed on the supplemental facts label.

TheraBreath Immunity Support Spray is safe for young and old, and it is easy to carry in a backpack or purse for periodic use throughout the day.

The spray works with any of the other items in the TheraBreath product line, which includes mouthwash, toothpaste, lozenges, and vitamins to promote oral health and tackle the challenging conditions of chronic bad breath and dry mouth. And all products comes with a money-back guarantee.

For more information, visit therabreath.com

"The best way to conduct a home safety check is to get down on all fours and look up at the world from the point of view of a crawling child," says Carolyn Ziegler, co-founder and product development director for Dreambaby.®

"It's amazing the hidden dangers you will identify," she adds.

The right child safety products are designed to make life easier for parents while keeping children safer at home and on the go.

Dreambaby® is a family-owned company with more than 20 years of experience in developing affordable, easy-to-use safety products.

With more young children at home (and more parents still working from home), safety products such as the Lever Door Lock from Dreambaby® provides peace of mind for parents by preventing curious children from exploring potentially dangerous areas of the house, such as laundry rooms, basements, or garages. The lock fits most lever-door handles, and can easily be engaged and disengaged by adults without the need for a key.

The arrival and increased distribution of coronavirus vaccines means that more people are venturing out of the house, and taking their babies with them. But child safety doesn't stop at the front door.

The Dreambaby® Non-Contact Rapid Response Infrared Forehead Thermometer provides a reliable reading within seconds of holding the device approximately one inch from the skin, so parents and caregivers can determine immediately whether fever is present.

Once you are out and about, the Dreambaby® Oxford Baby Carrier keeps your baby more secure, comfortable, and close to you. The carrier is designed to be worn three ways, with baby in front facing inward, in front facing outward, or riding backpack style with the carrier strapped on the parent or caregiver's back. Special features include an ergonomic design, easily adjustable and removable headrest, padded shoulder straps, lumbar support, and breathable mesh lining.

Visit dream-baby.com for more information about ways to keep your children safer, healthier, and happier.

"Grounds for Murder"
by Tara Lush

When Lana Lewis' best -- and most difficult -- employee abruptly quits and joins the competition days before the Sunshine State Barista Championship, her café's chances of winning are creamed. Lana's normally calm demeanor heats to a boil when she runs into the arrogant java slinger. But when he's found dead the next morning behind Lana's café, she becomes the prime suspect.

With her stoned, hippie dad, a Shih Tzu named Stanley, and a new barista sporting a punk rock aesthetic at her side, Lana's prepared to catch the real killer. As scandal hangs over her beachside café, can Lana clear her name and win the championship -- or will she come to a bitter end? Purchase at https://amzn.to/32D1mqS.

"Franklin Rock"
by Mark Klein

Sometimes heroes come when we least expect them.

Just when we need him most, Franklin Rock has arrived. While in college, a series of unexplained visions and events reveal a future he could never have imagined. In one extraordinary moment, Franklin learns that his life is to be an adventure unlike any other. Professor Charles Niemeyer, a Gandalf-like mentor, guides Franklin along his journey to complete his mission: to fix the world.

Like a modern-day Siddhartha who meets Forrest Gump, Franklin encounters one fascinating character after another. Along the way, he visits with some of the greatest minds of history -- Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King, Jr., Carl Jung -- who assist him in his quest. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3oSomvt.

"Snowflake"
by Arthur Jeon

A scholarship student at a private high school decides he must kill the president as an act of environmental protection.

Ben Wallace didn't set out to become an environmental activist. But he becomes outraged by the president's climate-change lies, attacks on climate science, and destruction of the natural world. He decides there is only one solution-a desperate but necessary act of environmental activism and social justice to protect his generation -- Ben must kill POTUS.

The events in this historical fiction tighten into a gripping suspense thriller racing to a shocking conclusion -- equal parts climate thriller, think piece, and spiritual journey. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3m8DyTH.

"Life Is a Ride"
by Chris Joseph

In 2016, 59-year-old Chris Joseph learned he had third-stage pancreatic cancer. In the midst of panic and fear, Joseph followed the doctor's orders and underwent chemotherapy -- a choice that was almost a fatal mistake.

Months of chemotherapy poisoned his body and nearly destroyed his spirit. With no immediate plan, Joseph fired his oncologist and embarked on an alternative path of recovery, including both natural and Western medicine immunotherapy -- one which opened his eyes and healed him, both physically and spiritually.

Life is a Ride documents Joseph's journey from terror and doubt to independence, redemption, love and hope. Joseph's spirit, determination and courage will inspire anyone who's struggled with illness or any other seemingly hopeless situation. Purchase at https://amzn.to/31sCa6y.

NOTE: BookBites is a continuing series bringing readers information and ideas for their next read. For more reading ideas, visit BookTrib.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) recently marked several milestones in its effort to increase the diversity of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM professionals. From 2019 to 2020, the number of Black and Latino CFP® professionals increased by 12.6 percent - nearly five times the growth rate of all CFP® professionals. The number of female CFP® professionals also increased in 2020 and now totals 20,633, reflecting a growth rate of 3.1 percent over 2019.

The total number of CFP® professionals continued to rise as well, reaching an all-time high of more than 88,700. The strong and consistent growth underscores the attractiveness of financial planning careers and how CFP® certification has become the must-have designation for professionals providing financial advice.

One way in which the financial planning profession has increased the diversity of its ranks is through scholarship programs that support aspiring advisors from different backgrounds. The CFP Board Center for Financial Planning, for example, offers six scholarship programs that help to cover the costs of the coursework required to become a CFP® professional. Five of those programs were created specifically to assist individuals from underrepresented populations within the financial planning profession in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, disability or sexual preference.

The Center announced 48 new scholarship awards at the end of 2020, bringing the total number of scholarships granted through its programs to 100, with a value of roughly $500,000. Of the nearly 50 awards granted in 2020, 32 were given to female students, 32 to Black students, 2 to Latino students, and 4 to members of other underrepresented populations in terms of disability or sexual orientation. These scholarships play a critical role in building the profession's talent pipeline and advancing workforce diversity. To date, 11 scholarship recipients have become CFP® professionals, while 37 others are in the final stages of their CFP® certification process.

To learn more about the Center scholarship programs and other resources for diverse candidates for CFP® certification, visit CFP.net/get-certified/tools-and-resources.

Now, there is encouraging news about efforts to prepare more students --and a more diverse set of students -- for the next generation of computer science jobs. According to new College Board data, students from the class of 2019 who took Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) were three times more likely to declare a computer science major in college, compared to similar students who did not take AP CSP. Differences are similarly large for female, Black, Hispanic, and first-generation college students.

New research out today is good news for business leaders looking to hire the next generation of computer science workers. Students from the class of 2019 who took Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles were three times more likely to declare a computer science major in college, according to College Board data.

AP Computer Science Principles, or AP CSP, was designed by the College Board four years ago to change the invitation to computer science and address a shortage of young women and students of color entering the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), long dominated by young white and Asian men.

"Four years ago, we set out to change the invitation to computer science education," says College Board Global Policy Chief Stefanie Sanford. "This new research provides compelling evidence that AP CSP is doing exactly that."

"We are inspired to see how this course is playing a role in students' high school and college careers just four years after its launch. States, schools, and educators providing access to AP CSP are ensuring a more representative body of students will become our next generation of computer scientists, engineers, and technology leaders."

College freshmen who declare a computer science major take a critical step toward receiving the second-highest-paid college degree in the nation, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. The median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $88,240 in May 2019. And yet, a code.org analysis of 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics data finds women represent just 24 percent of the 5 million people in computing occupations, while 15 percent are Black or Hispanic.

The College Board study also finds AP CSP students are nearly twice as likely to enroll in AP Computer Science A (AP CSA) -- a more computer-programming-focused course -- compared to similar students who did not take CSP. Black students who take AP CSP are three times more likely to also take AP CSA. Notably, that's virtually the same share as Asian CSP students, who have long led AP CSA participation.

Business leaders such as Shanika Hope, head of the U.S. division of Amazon Future Engineer, are enthusiastic about AP Computer Science Principles and its future economic impact. "At Amazon, we know a high-quality computer science education is key to helping students build their best and brightest future, especially those from underserved and underrepresented communities. We're excited that today's research shows further evidence that courses like AP CSP -- which we provide for thousands of our Amazon Future Engineer schools across the U.S. -- are preparing a more diverse group of students to enter the 21st century workforce."

The first year of AP Computer Science Principles in 2016-17 attracted more students than any other AP course debut, and participation is on the rise. Still, not all students have access to high-quality computer science education. Currently, less than half of the nation's high schools teach foundational computer science. States are working to broaden participation in computer science by passing policies to make computer science a fundamental part of the K-technology12 education system. Students interested in AP CSP can learn more at collegeboard.org/csp.

Curiosity starts with self-education and self- reflection to better understand our beliefs as well as talking to others about ethnicity and racism.

Courage is necessary to confront our own unacknowledged biases and recognize where some of them come from, including our upbringing or involvement in various groups, or from society at large.

Finally, one of the most profound ways of changing attitudes about others is engaging in close relationships with people from other ethnicities. Building and maintaining relationships with individuals of differing backgrounds allows recognition of our common humanity and shared struggles.

However, experts point out that being aware of, acknowledging, and changing deeply-ingrained racist ways of thinking is difficult and takes time and effort.

The human mind resists change to protect our self-esteem from uncomfortable truths, and our minds unconsciously work diligently to avoid uncovering painful and distressing knowledge about ourselves. Even making change we know will make us feel better, such as exercising more, can be hard to initiate and sustain.

"Often, changes to how we think or do things require a shift in how we view ourselves, our needs, and our relationships," says Deeba Ashraf, MD, member of the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA). "And changing attitudes about race can be especially hard because these attitudes are usually learned when we are very young."

Beverly J. Stoute, a child and adolescent psychoanalyst and psychiatrist, says children develop awareness of and curiosity about racial differences early. "As children grow, parents, teachers, media representations, and interactions with different groups can either powerfully facilitate or thwart children's openness to racial and ethnic differences," said Dr. Stoute, also a member of APsaA.

There are many ways we try to protect ourselves from painful feelings or unwanted truths about our own beliefs. One way is by asserting that unpleasant truths are not real, otherwise known as denial. Another way is to imagine these "horrible truths" only exist in others and not in ourselves. This is called projection and it involves attributing qualities like laziness or criminality to a particular group; while overlooking how these traits might apply to ourselves, or those in our own group.

Hence, "group identity," also presents a challenge to changing attitudes about racism. Being part of a group can offer a sense of connection and protection, and in some cases, prestige. Many group identity attitudes are passed on from generation to generation, but also part of ongoing relationships with others who share the same ideas. Trying to change an entrenched attitude can result in group members feeling threatened or fearing a loss of group membership, according to APsaA experts.

Yet, when people can break through these unconscious ways of protecting their self-image, they may recognize the costs of racism and look at the loss and pain it inflicts on oneself and others. It may be possible to reevaluate one's own ideas of what is healthy and growth-oriented. This process can be difficult, but managing the discomfort these efforts provoke can motivate a desire to change, psychoanalysts say.

"I am reminded of a quote from James Baldwin, 'People can cry much easier than they can change'," says Ebony Dennis, PsyD, clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst who is also an APsaA member. "Changing attitudes about racism will take time and effort, and occasionally some hurt feelings. But it is through these growing pains that real, lasting change happens."

Yes, it's widely recognized that women have taken the brunt of the nation's total job losses -- they're still down 5.3 million vs. 4.6 million for men even with the economy having rebounded somewhat off its COVID-19 lows -- largely because working remotely isn't possible in the hard-hit businesses like restaurants, hotels and retail stores where females dominate. And, yes, it's also recognized that many moms were forced to drop out to look after their kids after schools went remote -- with nearly four out of 10 currently working women still actively considering doing likewise, according to a recent survey by Fidelity Investments.

But what's not talked about as much is this: the potential long-term consequences of having had their financial security and career prospects upended by the pandemic.

"Being in a position to take a career break by choice can be considered a privilege," said Lorna Kapusta, head of women investors at Fidelity. "But we know for many in times of crisis like this one that stepping back from work is more like a necessity. Either way, it's critically important to understand the decision's impact on your savings today and into the future, so you can take steps to address it."

Fidelity conducted an analysis of the estimated effect even a one-year career break could have on retirement savings, and the results are staggering.

Exhibit No. 1: Say you took your "break" at age 35 when you'd been earning $50,000 a year and had to subsequently accept a slightly lower salary just to get back into the workforce. Assuming a conservative 4.5 percent annual growth rate and factoring in lost retirement contributions -- including a 3 percent match from your ex-employer on top of what would have been your own 9 percent contribution -- your 401(k) would be $106,469 lighter ($733,325 vs. $839,594) by the time you turned 67.

Exhibit No. 2: Substitute a $75,000 salary and the difference is even bigger ($159,702, or $1,099,679 vs. $1,259,381).

Exhibit No. 3: And bigger still at $100,000 ($212,936, or $1,466,233 vs. $1,679,169).

Plus, don't forget there's also the matter of lost Social Security contributions. "Your benefit is calculated based on your top 35 years of earnings," said Kapusta. "So if you work fewer years, have a lower salary, or don't reach the minimum eligibility, you may have a smaller check when it comes time to collect in retirement." All of which helps explain the impetus for launching Fidelity's weekly Q&A discussion series called "Women Talk Money." Airing live on Zoom every Wednesday at noon ET and available later on demand, each 30-minute interactive episode uses viewer-submitted questions to address a different topic each week, ranging from job loss to health care to the hidden costs of caregiving.

"It's real talk to help answer women's most pressing money questions right now -- no jargon or judgment," said Kapusta, noting that the program's six-part, archived video series is also must-see viewing for those who want to learn the key factors that can significantly impact women's financial futures.

Finally, some historical perspective. When the Labor Department first started tracking such data back in 1948, only one third of women held jobs. That number had nearly doubled by the late 1990s.

And today? The ratio of women working has fallen below 57 percent for the first time since 1988.