The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.

CEDAR RAPIDS — The beginning of fall means back to school, cooling temperatures and the start of respiratory illness season — influenza, COVID-19 and RSV.

But this season also is bringing a flurry of changes. This year, COVID-19 vaccines come with new restrictions from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration , and flu vaccines are being produced without thimerosal as vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leads the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Danielle Pettit-Majewski, director of Johnson County Public Health since 2021, spoke with The Gazette recently to offer clarity on the changes and guidance for those trying to keep their families healthy over the next several months as

See Full Page