KEYWORD1:
Medicare
Quality Improvement
Coalition
Flu Bug
Media

BACKGROUND:
Pneumonia and influenza combined are the fifth leading cause of death for older Americans, killing at least 40,000 annually. Although Medicare covers the cost of vaccination for influenza and pneumonia, national data suggest that only about 50 percent of adults 65 and older have received pneumococcal vaccine and only 65 percent get an annual flu shot.

OBJECTIVE:
Describe ways to work through coalitions and partnerships utilizing the media to increase adult immunization awareness and vaccination rates. Describe how to utilize active seniors to promote these efforts.

METHOD:
A combination of interactive and discussion format is selected to allow attendees to ask specific questions of the presenters. Specifics on the formation, development and implementation of a "flu bug" to raise public awareness and increase adult immunization rates. The presenters will help attendees formulate a work plan to initiate a "flu bug" immunization campaign.

RESULT:
Attendees will be able to describe how to implement a local and statewide immunization campaign using different approaches. Learn to work with the media to maximize publicity. Learn to measure effectiveness of a campaign by evaluating targeted population reached compared to immunization rates.

CONCLUSION:
Coalitions and partnerships can work together to meet healthcare goals by using the media to maximize community awareness of the importance of influenza and pneumonia immunizations.
LEARNINGOBJECTIVES:
Describe coalition and partnerships.
Describe how to generate resources.
Describe "flu bug" planning and activities.
Describe how to utilize active seniors in your immunization campaigns.
Describe alternate "flu bug" activities.
Describe a work plan to implement the project and generate media coverage.
Describe how to evaluate success of a campaign.