It ’ s National Influenza Vaccination Week!

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), December 2-8, 2018, is a national awareness campaign focused on highlighting the importance of influenza vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) established NIVW in 2005 to highlight the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. Why December? Flu vaccination coverage estimates from past seasons have shown that few people get vaccinated against influenza after the end of November. Flu isn’t a “bad cold” and can result in serious health problems (complications), such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. Flu can sometimes even lead to death. During the 2017-2018 flu season, CDC estimates flu caused: 49 million flu illnesses – more than the combined populations of Texas and Florida 960,000 flu hospitalizations – more than the number of staffed hospital beds in the United States 79,000 deaths – more than the average number of people who attend the Super Bowl each year Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu. During the 2016-2017 flu season, flu vaccine prevented an estimated: 5.3 million flu illnesses – about the population of the Atlanta metropolitan area 2.6 million flu medical visits – more than the number of students in all K-12 schools in Florida 85,000 flu hospitalizations – more than the number of hospital beds in California and Oregon What can you do at your institution or in your community to support NIVW? Utilize the C...
Source: NN/LM Middle Atlantic Region Blog - Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Tags: Consumer Health Health Professionals K-12 Outreach Public Health Source Type: news