BACKGROUND:
Flu campaign planning was well underway when it was announced that the U.S. influenza vaccine supply had been cut in half. With revised priorities and redistribution plans it was clear that this year would not be business as usual. Health promotion efforts had to be redirected, and materials that had been stockpiled for community education were unuseable.

OBJECTIVE:
Revamp the effort to educate the community about flu protection. Develop resources, partnerships and revised health communications to meet public and media needs.

METHOD:
A rapid inventory of available materials and resources was conducted, including queries regarding revision of resources at state and federal levels. A catalog of “still useable” messages and materials was developed. A local campaign was developed using existing resources and additional materials with new information and priorities. Existing and new partners were recruited to “get the word out.”

RESULT:
“Do your part. . .be FLU SMART” was developed to inform County residents of the revised priorities for flu immunization, how to find vaccines locally, and to familiarize them with basic techniques for preventing the spread of infection. Campaign messages were distributed by a variety of community partners, and by organizations never before involved in this type of activity. A database of participants and materials distributed will facilitate evaluation of the campaign.

CONCLUSION:
Crisis is the mother of communication—in response to the need to change messages about flu vaccine this year, community partners were extremely effective and enthusiastic in helping to revise and get information out to the public.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Describe the process of determining what old and new materials would be needed for effective communication during the flu crisis.