12/29/2023
URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT:
THERE'S A NEED TO INCREASE INFLUENZA VACCINATION RATES
As your partner in public health, CSL Seqirus is sharing the latest information with you about an urgent public health situation that has emerged.
URGENT Public Health Situation
On December 14, the CDC issued a Health Advisory via their Health Alert Network (HAN) to alert healthcare providers to low vaccination rates against influenza (flu), COVID-19, and RSV.1
Low vaccination rates, coupled with ongoing increases in respiratory disease activity caused by multiple pathogens, including flu, COVID-19, and RSV, could lead to more severe disease and increased healthcare capacity strain in the coming weeks.1
Act NOW
There is still time to increase flu vaccination rates this season. Flu cases are rising and flu activity typically peaks between December and February, but significant activity can last as late as May.2
The CDC Health Advisory urges healthcare providers to administer influenza, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations NOW to patients, if recommended.1
A strong recommendation favoring vaccination (eg, “You are due for your flu vaccine today. I’ve gotten the vaccine myself and recommend it for you, too.”) is a key factor in determining whether or not patients agree to be vaccinated, so be sure your staff is taking every opportunity to stress the importance of flu vaccination for all eligible patients, even those who may have previously declined vaccination or do not want to get vaccinated because they had or believe they had influenza this season already.1 Check out CDC’s vaccination conversation guide in the HAN.1
Additional best practices include1,3-5:
Check patient vaccination status and continue reaching out to patients, even those who may have previously declined, to schedule a flu shot.
Ensure all staff are proactively offering and messaging the importance of a flu shot at every touchpoint in the office and during telehealth visits.
Activate effective influenza vaccine reminder/recall protocols to drive patient demand, as well as novel approaches like social media.
Encourage coadministration of flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines to all eligible patients per CDC guidance.
Counsel patients about testing and other preventive measures.
Recommend antiviral medication for flu and COVID-19 for all eligible patients.
Continue vaccinating throughout the season as long as flu viruses are circulating, in alignment with ACIP recommendations, because influenza disease activity can last as late as May.
If you need influenza vaccine supply to support your vaccination efforts, please contact your CSL Seqirus Representative or Customer Service at customerservice.us@seqirus.com. You can also visit flu360.com to place a vaccine order and access additional immunization clinic resources.
Thank you for your work on the front lines of public health.
CSL Seqirus
References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Urgent need to increase immunization coverage for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV and use of authorized/approved therapeutics in the setting of increased respiratory disease activity during the 2023 – 2024 winter season. December 14, 2023. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00503.asp 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu season. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/index.html 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What to know about getting flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same time. November 2, 2023. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/getting-vaccines-at-same-time.html 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Make a strong influenza vaccine recommendation. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/flu-vaccine-recommendation.htm 5. Grohskopf LA, Blanton LH, Ferdinands JM, Chung JR, Broder KR, Talbot HK. Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2023-24 influenza season. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2023;72(2):1-25.
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Information for health care providers about how to make a strong flu vaccine recommendation to their patients.
