According to this week’s FluView report from the CDC, seasonal influenza activity increased slightly in the United States. While influenza A (H3N2) viruses have been most common since October 1, in the past three weeks, influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 viruses have predominated. The vast majority of circulating influenza viruses analyzed this season remain similar to the vaccine virus components for this season’s influenza vaccines.
Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. If you do not offer influenza vaccinations in your clinic, please recommend vaccination to your patients and refer them to a clinic or pharmacy that provides vaccines or to the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to locate sites near their workplaces or homes that offer influenza vaccination services.
Influenza antiviral drugs can treat influenza illness. CDC has issued guidance for clinicians on the use of antiviral treatment in the 2015–16 flu season. Early antiviral treatment works best.
Following is a list of resources related to influenza disease and vaccination for healthcare professionals and the public:
• CDC’s Seasonal Flu web section
• CDC’s FluView web section
• CDC’s Free Resources related to influenza
• CDC Health Update Regarding Treatment of Patients with Influenza with Antiviral Medications
• National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit website
• The Summit Buzz: Newsletter of the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit
• Influenza web page on immunize.org
• IAC’s handouts related to influenza
• HealthMap Vaccine Finder
• Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System—IVATS: a resource for health care settings looking to purchase influenza vaccine
For more about Great Plains Quality Innovation’s efforts to improve vaccination rates, visit our Web site and be sure to join our Learning and Action Network (and select ‘Improving Immunization Rates’ as a topic of interest) to receive information, resources and education invites.
Thank you for your partnership as we work together and aspire to make healthcare in our region the best in the nation!