Help Prevent Childhood Influenza

November 24, 2008 by Elizabeth Beachy  
Filed under Featured Articles, Health

As a service provider working with Hispanic communities, you play a key role in reaching Spanish-speaking parents, caregivers and youth about the benefits of annual influenza (flu) vaccination. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases’ (NFID) Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition has created a Spanish-language website PrevengaLaGripeInfantil.org where you can access free educational materials to engage Hispanic families in vaccination efforts this influenza season.

Influenza hospitalizes thousands of children each year and some even die from it. Safe and effective vaccines are available to protect kids from influenza. The CDC recommends vaccination for every child 6 months to 18 years of age. But too few kids get vaccinated. One reason is that vaccination efforts stop too soon.

Flu season occurs from about October to May in the US, with more than half of all cases - 30 million or more in some seasons - reported after January. However, vaccination efforts drop off after November. Since it takes only about two weeks to develop immunity after vaccination, the value of getting vaccinated past November is clear. By continuing to vaccinate, we can help prevent this disease and keep more kids and families healthy.

NFID established the Coalition, which includes more than 25 of the nation’s leading health organizations, to inform and educate more families and health care providers about the benefits of influenza vaccination. The Coalition calls on parents to learn more about influenza and protect their families against influenza by getting them vaccinated every year.

Free Spanish-language flu vaccination educational materials are available for download at PrevengaLaGripeInfantil.org/resources. You can print, display and share these materials with Hispanic families and children you serve. Simply place your mouse pointer over the resources listed below (flyer, brochure, banner ad, etc) and click to see and print the materials. Here are a few ideas of how you can inform your local Hispanic community:

Flyer and Print Display -Print multiple copies for posting on walls with high visibility
(bathroom stalls, etc)

Brochure/Pamphlet -Print 1-2 copies for leaving in your waiting room area, foyer,
literature collections

Fact Sheets & FAQs -Inform your staff about influenza and the importance of flu
vaccination

Digital Banner Ad -Feature on your website

Note: English-language materials are available at PreventChildhoodInfluenza.org.

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is December 8-12; Children’s Flu Vaccination Day is December 9. You can make a difference by promoting influenza vaccination among Latino families now, through NIVW and beyond the New Year. Many health care professionals administer the vaccine. Local hospitals, health clinics, retail stores and even some employers may also hold vaccination clinics. To find a clinic, visit FluClinicLocator.org.

Acceso Hispano is a project of