Immunization

Influenza Guidance

The 2012-2013 influenza vaccine protects against 3 strains, including 2 that are different from last year's vaccine. Because of the new strains and the fact that immunity drops up to 50% 6-12 months after vaccination, influenza vaccine is recommended for all those over 6 months of age.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supply

• Supply is adequate for the 2012-2013 season. All pediatric vaccine manufacturers have reported shipping vaccines.

• For more on supply, visit the Influenza Summit Web site. (Exit Site)

 

Recommendations and Implementation

• AAP: Prevention of Influenza: Recommendations for Influenza Immunization of Children, 2012-13

• AAP: Influenza Vaccine Implementation Information (PDF)

• CDC: Letter to Providers (Exit Site)
• Reminder/Recall Strategies and Resources (PDF 59KB)

 

For Healthcare Workers and Employees

• AAP: Healthcare Worker Mandatory Influenza Vaccination Guidance (PDF 87KB)
• CDC: Flu Vaccination for Healthcare Workers (Exit Site)

• Influenza Immunization Among Health Care Workers- A Call to Action (PDF 129KB)

• Employee Flu Immunization Campaign Kit (PDF 2,280KB)

• Seasonal Flu Information for Workplaces and Employees (Exit Site)

 

For Families

The following resources are available for parents (Exit Site) :

• AAP: HealthyChildren.org
• CDC: The Flu: A guide for parents of children or adolescents with chronic conditions: English.

Other Organizations

• CDC Influenza Web site (Exit Site)

• National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (Exit Site)

• PKIDS- Flu's Gonna Lose Campaign (Exit Site)

• Families Fighting Flu
  Families Fighting Flu, Inc. (FFF) is a non-profit, volunteer-based corporation dedicated to educating people about the severity of influenza and the importance of vaccinating children against the flu every year. Through education and advocacy, FFF hopes to improve the rates of annual pediatric influenza vaccinations and help reduce the number of pediatric illnesses and deaths caused by the flu each year.

 

 

 

Financing

• For issues related to coding or health plan coverage issue, contact the AAP Coding Hotline or see the Implementation Guidance.

 

Other Resources

• Information on Thimerosal Containing Influenza Vaccine (Exit Site)

• Vaccine safety resources for parents

• The Threat of Pandemic Influenza: Are We Ready? (Book - Exit Site)

• Pandemicflu.gov has resources to prepare for pandemic influenza (Exit Site)

• Pandemic Influenza Issue Brief from AAP and Trust for America's Health (PDF 840KB)

Last Updated: 2/23/13