BACKGROUND:
Each year about 36,000 Americans die from complications related to the flu and 200,000 are hospitalized. African Americans and Hispanics have significantly lower vaccination rates than the general population. Research with adults reveals that a provider recommendation correlates positively with reported receipt of influenza vaccine. To promote influenza vaccinations, CDC and AED collaborated to create the "Immunize Now" provider kit to provide information and resources to primary care physicians and nurses. Formative research with the providers guided CDC's decisions regarding what information to include in the kit and how to present that information. In September 2004, 90,000 Kits were mailed to health care professionals.

OBJECTIVE:
Immunize Now is intended to increase the number of providers that recommend vaccination for persons at high risk for complications from influenza.

METHOD:
The final kits contained medical information in a clear and succinct format, CDC adult immunization recommendations on a laminated pocket card, patient education flyers at a 6th grade reading level, and colorful posters in English and Spanish. AED interviewed more than 600 medical professionals to assess Kit recall, suitability for resources in clinical settings, how materials were used, and how the Kits might be improved.

RESULT:
Health care providers report that timely information on influenza recommendations and easy to use educational materials are needed in their practices. Respondents were grateful for the provision of clear and accurate resources and indicated they would likely use the resources in a season with ample influenza vaccine.

CONCLUSION:
Public health educators should consider findings from CDC research in the development of provider education materials to promote vaccine recommendations.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Participants will be able to identify the types of materials that providers
>>>find useful in promoting influenza vaccinations.
>>>do not find useful in promoting influenza vaccinations.