National Influenza Vaccination Week, November 26 - December 2, 2007

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the week after Thanksgiving, November 27 to December 2, as National Influenza Vaccination Week. This event is designed to highlight the importance of continuing influenza (flu) vaccination, as well as foster greater use of flu vaccine through the months of November, December and beyond.

This year, Tuesday November 27, 2007, is set aside as Children’s Flu Vaccination Day, with a focus on vaccinating high-risk children. Each year, over 20,000 children under age 5 are hospitalized as a result of influenza. This day will help raise awareness about the value of vaccinating children—especially high-risk children—and their close contacts.

Every Child By Two (ECBT) seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of influenza and the importance for all parents to have their children vaccinated beginning at six months of age. See the ECBT web site for more information about flu vaccinations or vaccination centers.

Families Fighting Flu, Inc. (FFF) is a non-profit, volunteer-based corporation made up of families and healthcare practitioners who have experienced first-hand the death of a child due to the flu, or have had a child experience severe medical complications from the flu. Through education and advocacy, FFF hopes to improve the rates of annual childhood influenza vaccinations and help reduce the number of childhood illnesses and deaths caused by the flu each year.

Flu Clinic Locator: Provided by the American Lung Association. Find a clinic near you to get your flu vaccine. If this link does not find a clinic near you, your local health department or newspaper may have more information.

Tags: National Influenza Vaccination Week, nivw, Children’s Flu Vaccination Day, influenza