Every December, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) observes National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) to highlight the importance of influenza vaccination. We can all do our part to help raise awareness about flu risks and encourage everyone to protect themselves by getting vaccinated.
The CDC estimates that during the 2018–2019 season, 35.5 million people contracted the flu; 16.5 million people sought treatment from a healthcare provider for their illness; 490,600 people were hospitalized and 34,200 people died.
Activities for Consideration:
- Promote everyday actions for flu prevention
- Share information about vaccine providers in your area
- Print and distribute resources to help individuals with vaccine recommendations (access multi-language resources)
- Play a video about flu vaccination in your waiting room, like this CDC video
- Encourage your followers to join the #SleeveUp social media challenge
- Encourage colleagues to take the adult vaccination assessment quiz
- Download a toolkit:
o CDC: 2020 NIVW Digital Media Toolkit
o CDC: Health Care Professional Fight Flu Toolkit
o Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Flu Vaccine Partner Toolkit
Additional Resources
• Increasing Flu Shot Outreach & Uptake
• Flu Shot Outreach and Media Material
• CDC Influenza Information for Health Professionals
• National Institute on Aging (NIH) Flu and Prevention