Flu Vaccination: Why It Matters and What You Can Do

Influenza can result in serious complications, hospitalization, and death. Annual vaccination is the primary means of preventing influenza and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1,2

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Online at GSKDirect.com 

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Help protect your vulnerable patients during the flu season

While February is considered peak flu season, when the flu season actually peaks is difficult to predict, and it can vary by region and season throughout the country.3

Children, the elderly, and people with certain health conditions are at especially high risk2

  • Children under 5 years of age and especially under 2 years of age are at higher risk for serious flu-related complications3
  • 23,299 children under age 5 were estimated to have been hospitalized due to flu complications in the 2022-2023 US influenza season4
  • In recent years, an estimated 70%-85% of seasonal flu-related deaths and 50%-70% of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations have occurred in people 65 years of age and older5
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During the 2022-2023 flu season, vaccination prevented an estimated 6.0 million flu-related illnesses, 65,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations, and 3,700 influenza-associated deaths6

CDC data shows that in the 2022-2023 flu season, vaccination reached7:

47% of adults 18 years of age and older and 57% of children 6 months through 17 years of age

Steps You Can Take to Help Close the Vaccination Gap

Make sure patients are aware of your immunization policy

  • Discuss your policy with patients during their visits
  • Post a copy of your policy in your waiting room and on your website

Keep up to date on CDC vaccination recommendations

  • CDC publishes new vaccination schedules every February and influenza seasonal guidance for the United States prior to each flu season every August
  • As updated immunization guidance becomes available, share this information with your patients

Take every opportunity to vaccinate

  • Identify patients who have missed wellness visits and schedule appointments
  • Take advantage of holiday breaks, wellness visits, and other vaccine appointments to recommend flu vaccination

Remain persistent in your vaccination efforts

  • Use reminder and recall systems and health records to check for patients who may have missed vaccinations
  • Continue vaccination throughout flu season as long as the spread of flu remains prevalent