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Swine Flu- Interim Guidance for Clinicians & Public Health Professionals

Help Prevent Childhood Influenza

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Swine Flu- Interim Guidance for Clinicians & Public Health Professionals

May 4, 2009 by Jennifer Brandt  
Filed under Health

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The outbreak of disease in people caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Today, CDC reports additional confirmed human infections, hospitalizations and the nation’s first fatality from this outbreak. The more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest that a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S. Most people will not have immunity to this new virus and, as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks.

CDC has implemented its emergency response. The agency’s goals are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by the new virus. Yesterday, CDC issued new interim guidance for clinicians on how to care for children and pregnant women who may be infected with this virus. Young children and pregnant women are two groups of people who are at high risk of serious complications from seasonal influenza. In addition, CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) continues to send antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak. The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.

Help Prevent Childhood Influenza

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

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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.