U.S. Influenza activity is really on the move. In the week of
March 1-7, CDC received reports of four more U.S. children
killed by complications from influenza; the total of reported
pediatric influenza deaths this influenza season now stands at
26. Thirty-five states have reported widespread influenza
activity, up from 31 reported during the week of February 22-28.
Yearly vaccination is the first and most important step in
protecting against influenza and its complications. It is
important to continue vaccinating into the spring months. The
supply of influenza vaccine is robust; if you run out of vaccine
in your work setting, please place another order.
Many resources regarding influenza disease and vaccination are
available to healthcare professionals and the public. Following
is a list of some of them.
To access the National Influenza Vaccine Summit website, go to:
http://www.preventinfluenza.org
To access CDC’s Seasonal Flu web section, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu
To access a CDC web page of information for the public titled
“Taking Care of Yourself: What to Do if You Get Sick with Flu,”
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/takingcare.htm
To access a CDC resource for clinicians titled “Talking Points:
Deaths in Children from Influenza Complications,” go to:
http://www.preventinfluenza.org/media/Pediatric_Deaths_209.pdf
To access the VIS for trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine
(TIV; injectable), go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/2flu.pdf
To access the VIS for live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV;
nasal spray), go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/liveflu.pdf
To access IAC’s print piece titled “Don’t take chances with your
family’s health–make sure you all get vaccinated against
influenza every year!” go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4069.pdf
To access IAC’s print piece titled “Give these people influenza
vaccine!” go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2013.pdf
To access IAC’s print piece titled “Screening questionnaire for
injectable influenza vaccination,” go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4066.pdf
To access IAC’s print piece titled “Screening questionnaire for
intranasal influenza vaccination,” go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4067.pdf
