For Health Care Professionals

Each year, influenza causes approximately 20,000 hospitalizations and nearly 100 deaths in American children younger than 5 years of age. However, with annual influenza vaccination, health care professionals can help decrease these numbers and increase vaccination awareness among parents and family members.

According to a survey by the NFID, 4 in 10 people had never discussed the influenza vaccine with their medical provider. In addition we learned that when it comes to influenza vaccination, parents listen to their pediatricians. They value the doctor-parent bond that builds over time, and trust their health care professionals’ recommendations. As a health care provider, it’s up to you to start the “influenza” dialogue regarding annual influenza vaccination recommendations. It’s your duty to provide parents and caregivers with the information they need to make an informed choice – the choice to have their children vaccinated against the leading cause of vaccine-preventable death in the U.S.