Seasonal Influenza: a Multi-Faceted Approach to Education, Outreach, and Preparedness

Background:
Michigan's flu website has been in existence since 2002. A complete overhaul of the seasonal flu website was undertaken in the summer/early fall of 2008. MDCH staff leads the Flu Advisory Board (FAB), which was formed in 2005 as a result of the flu vaccine shortage.

Setting:
Activities carried out by state and local health departments in Michigan

Population:
General public, pharmacies, retail stores, community vaccinators, immunization coalition partners, professional associations, state and local health departments, VFC providers, private providers, college health centers, nursing associations, health systems, health plans, health advocacy groups, and other health professionals

Project Description:
The presentation will go into detail about MDCH's seasonal influenza projects, including: the flu website at www.michigan.gov/flu, the 2008 seasonal flu slogan and campaign “Flu Vaccine: For Everyone, Every Year,” the Flu Fighter Action Kit for Health Care Personnel at www.michigan.gov/flufighterkit, FAB's mission and activities, and the Immunization Nurse Education (INE) flu modules. Flu holiday posters will be presented, which encourage people to continue to get vaccinated into December and January, and throughout the winter months. The goal of these posters is to facilitate or encourage dialogue between the general public and their health care providers, as recent NFID data shows that 7 out of 10 people would be “likely” or “very likely” to get an annual influenza vaccine if their health care professional recommended it (NFID Influenza/Pneumococcal News Conference 2008).

Results/Lessons Learned:
The importance of annual influenza vaccination needs to be a continued priority and topic of discussion amongst health care providers and their patients. The general public must be aware of the seriousness of influenza, the good track record of the vaccine, as well as the safety of the flu vaccine for children, adolescents, and adults. Myths and misconceptions about flu vaccine must be dispelled. Health care personnel continue to be an area of focus.