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Recommendations and Resources for the Control of Influenza 2011 - 2012 See attatched.
What's new for the 2011-2012 Flu Season
Vaccination of everyone aged 6 months and older continues to be recommended. Children, pregnant women, adults 50 years of age and older, and adults 18 - 49 years of age with chronic medical conditions are at increased risk for complications from influenza, hospitalization, and death. Figure 2 on page 4 shows the underlying medical conditions for children and adults who were hospitalized with influenza during the 2010-2011 flu season.
Begin offering flu vaccine as soon as it is available. Offer vaccine in all settings, including during routine visits and hospitalizations.
New dosing recommendations for children aged 8 years and younger. See Figure 1 on page 2.
The 2011-2012 flu vaccines contain the same antigens as those included for the 2010-2011 season: A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like, A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like, and B/Brisbane/60/2008-like antigens. Annual flu vaccination is recommended regardless of whether the vaccine strains have changed. Studies have shown that protection wanes over the course of a year.
New considerations for vaccination of egg-allergic persons. See page 5.
Fluzone Intradermal (Influenza Virus Vaccine), which uses less antigen than the regular flu shot, but produces a comparable immune response, is now licensed for use in of adults 18 through 64 years of age. It is given with a needle that is 90% smaller than the needles used for giving regular flu shots (and may be more appealing to needle-averse adults). For more information: multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/sanofipasteur/49833/.
Offering flu vaccine on site increases vaccination. An article entitled Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Pregnant Women in the United States for the 2010-11 Influenza Season, (MMWR Aug 17, 2011) estimated influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant women for the 2010-11 season. This study found that for the 2010-11 season, 49% of pregnant women had received influenza vaccination: 32% during pregnancy and 17% before pregnancy or after delivery.
One very interesting finding of the survey was that women whose providers offered them a flu shot were five times more likely to get vaccinated than women who didn't receive a provider offer. However, 4 out of 10 women in this survey did not receive a provider offer, though they visited a provider at least one time.
Women with a negative attitude toward vaccination who had received a health-care provider offer of vaccination were more likely to be vaccinated than women who had a positive attitude without a health-care provider offer.
* The study underscores the importance of providers:
* Getting vaccinated themselves and
* Not only strongly recommend vaccination of their pregnant patients, but offering influenza vaccine on site to ensure that their patients are protected.
Donna Lazorik, RN, MS
Immunization Program
Burueau of Infectious Diseases
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
617-983-6821
Massachusetts PTA Endorsing Partner for Heart Healthy Stroke Free Massachusetts
As an endorsing partner, Massachusetts PTA endorses the objectives and strategies presented in the partnership's State Plan, as well as the Vision Statement and Mission Statement of the partnership.
Vision Statement. Massachusetts is a national model for the prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke and the elimination of related health disparities.
Mission Statement. The Partnership for a Heart Healthy and Stroke Free Massachusetts is a statewide coalition dedicated to promoting optimal health by preventing and reducing heart disease and stroke among all residents of Massachusetts. We are committed to changing physical and social environments, public policies, and healthcare systems to reduce risk for heart disease and stroke.
