Shot of Prevention

Three times a year the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC), which is an advisory group to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), meets to discuss vaccine related topics.  This week the Committee met and discussed a number of issues, including the Healthy People 2020 goal to reach 90% influenza vaccination rates among health care personnel.   Since flu vaccination rates among health care workers is currently around  63%, the Assistant Secretary of Health requested that the Committee propose recommendations for hospitals and other health facilities to help achieve the goal outlined by the Health People 2020 document.   After a year of deliberation among NVAC subcommittee members, representing a wide variety of views on this issue, the full committee voted on the following five recommendations:

1. Establish comprehensive influenza infection control programs in hospitals that include education on how to prevent flu transmission with tools such as hand hygiene, cough etiquette, free access to flu vaccines, and information on the benefits and misconceptions of flu vaccines.
2. Health care employees and facilities should integrate flu vaccination programs into existing flu prevention and occupational health programs.
3. Continue efforts to standardize methods on how to measure health care worker vaccination rates.
4. Facilities that can’t reach and  maintain 90% vaccination level without the first three steps should strongly consider mandatory flu vaccination policies and may consider exemptions.
5. Develop new and improved flu vaccines and vaccine technologies.

Prior to adopting these recommendations, the Committee received extensive written public comments.  Additionally, during the meeting several health care workers  presented verbal testimony in opposition of the fourth recommendation that suggests facilities consider mandatory flu vaccine policies if they can’t raise vaccination levels after completing the first three steps.  With each comment, those opposing these recommendations focused on the rights of the individual nurse and health care worker.  However, no mention was made of those who may suffer from the actions of health care workers who may unwittingly spread deadly influenza virus to at-risk patients.

Executive Director Laura Scott is pictured here along with Families Fighting Flu Board Members

Fortunately, after about 30 minutes of comments made in opposition to this specific recommendation, Laura Scott, Executive Director of Families Fighting Flu, stood and addressed the Committee.  She strongly supported all the recommendations on behalf of the members of Families Fighting Flu.  She spoke of how concerned they were about unvaccinated health care workers and she reminded the Committee that these workers are not only a threat to themselves, but to the most vulnerable in our society, including our children.  Her public comment went as follows: Read more…

So it’s January, and even though you may not know anyone who has suffered with the flu yet, that doesn’t mean you’ve escaped the illness this year.

The flu is very unpredictable.  While flu activity historically peaks in the U.S. in January or February, sometimes seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.  And since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop an immune response, it’s best to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

While it’s recommended that everyone six months of age and older be vaccinated, it’s important to realize that there are specific groups that are at a greater risk of flu complications that can result in hospitalization or even death.  Sometimes, people in these high risk groups are note even aware of the severe risks that influenza poses to them.

Take for instance pregnant women.  Due to changes in their immune system during pregnancy, as well as in their heart and lungs, pregnant women are more prone to severe illness from flu.  Not only could the flu impact a mother’s health, but influenza can also pose a serious problems for the unborn baby, including premature labor and delivery.  And since children younger than 6 months are still quite fragile and at high risk for serious flu-related complications, it’s important to safeguard them from influenza as best we can.  Since these infants can’t get vaccinated or take antiviral drugs, their best protection comes from the antibodies they receive from their vaccinated mother. Read more…

As I mentioned in Monday’s post, I recently hosted a special conference call that was intended to provide other bloggers with information on seasonal influenza and the universal recommendation of flu vaccine.  The call included remarks from both Dr. Schaffner, an influenza expert and current president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, as well as Jen Lastinger, a parent advocate from Families Fighting Flu, who lost her young daughter Emily to influenza.

After the call, I was especially motivated to discover all the passionate voices for vaccines there are out there.  Even though all the participants heard the same things, it’s each participant chose a unique way to share this important information.  Each article I read was accurate, informative and inspiring.  As a parent, concerned about the growing trend of vaccine hesitancy and the spread of misinformation on the internet, I’m extremely proud and honored to be able to collaborate with so many responsible, caring and intelligent people.  People who, despite frequent attacks from vaccine opponents, continue to use their blogs and their talent as writers, to speak out in favor of vaccines.  Together, we are creating a cooperative network of vaccine supporters who will continue to share positive immunization messages, such as those echoed by Jen Lastinger on our call.

“Please vaccinate your children, and yourself, this and every flu season. It could save the life of someone you love.”

As we wrap up National Influenza Vaccination Week,  I would like to highlight some of this week’s unique perspectives on the issue of influenza in our community:

Shannon Des Roches Rosa contributed a detailed transcript of the call within her BlogHer article entitled Why Every Last Mother and Child Needs a Flu Shot.  This piece provides readers with a better understanding of both the medical and emotional effects of influenza.   She also posted A Critical Flu Season Q & A, on her Squidilicious blog, which offers an insider’s view of the question and answer segment that concluded the call with Dr. Schaffner and Jen Lastinger.  From the questions posed, it’s clear that each call participant had experience and knowledge about flu communication efforts and were helping to address the concerns that face parent’s today.  As always, Shannon made sure that she covered the call completely and accurately so that her readers could be well-informed.  She concludes her post on Squidilicious by drawing attention to specific examples of how ”dramatically misinformed vaccine opponents” are making it necessary to ”communicate helpful, correct vaccine information” on a regular basis and we are grateful that she is a part of these efforts.

The information from the call also resulted in a very prominent piece on the Moms Who Vax blog.  Their Loss, Your Decision not only went into great detail about little Emily’s battle with influenza and the impact the flu has had on the Lastinger family, but it also helped address various myths about the flu vaccine.  Myths that, sadly, have been difficult to dispel.  Myths that are, unfortunately, keeping people from protecting themselves and their family from seasonal influenza. Read more…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that 63% of healthcare workers received a seasonal influenza vaccine as of the beginning of November.  While this is a 7% increase over the number vaccinated by the same time last year, there is still significant room for improvement.

Healthcare workers include a wide variety of professions, such as nurses, dentists, lab technicians, OB/GYNs and many others.  These professionals have a great deal of contact with patients, and therefore are exposed to illness on a regular basis, which is why you might suspect they would want to be up-to-date on their vaccines.  However, we must also recognize the risks these workers pose to others if they themselves are infected.  It is possible for workers to be contagious before they realize they are ill.  During that time it is also possible that they could unknowingly spreading illnesses, such as influenza, to vulnerable patients.

Take, for instance, the example of a newborn child.  As a parent, your most important concern is for the well-being of your baby.   That’s why you may insist that friends and family members who want to visit your child, both in the hospital and at home, are immunized.  However, how would you feel if you discovered that almost 40% of the people providing care for your child are not immunized against seasonal flu?

As parents and patients we often assume that those caring for us and our loved ones are doing everything possible to protect us, and that includes getting immunized.  While we are seeing encouraging statistics to suggest that they are, this is not a universal requirement in the healthcare industry and so there is still work to do to help improve healthcare worker vaccination rates.

Since nurses play a critical role as vaccinators, educators and role models for their patients, it’s important to highlight the efforts being made by the American Nurses Association (ANA) to help educate nurses on the importance of immunizations.  Not only do they offer a free Continuing Education (CE) course entitled Bringing Immunity to Every Community, they are doing their part to engage on the issue of influenza vaccination with their Unite to Fight the Flu! campaign.  Today, they’ve even planned a clever way to offer free CE credits with a live Twitter chat.     

To join today’s twitter chat from 12:30-1p.m. EST,  all one has to do is go to http://tweetchat.com/room/anachat or use the hashtag #anachat on Twitter.  The discussion will focus on facts about influenza, with a special emphasis made to dispel the myths about the flu vaccine.  This is a free event and both ANA members and non-members are encouraged to join.  Read more…

Today marks the start of National Influenza Vaccination Week and so I ask; are you one in 111 million?

If you’ve already received your influenza vaccination this season than, congratulations…you are!

According to today’s telebriefing on U.S. influenza activity and vaccination rates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s estimated that as many as 36% of the general public (which represents a total of 111 million) have been vaccinated against seasonal influenza in the U.S. as of the beginning of November.   These mid-fall statistics were compiled after phone surveys were conducted during the first two weeks of November, and while final results will not be available until the end of the season, all indications are pointing to a slight increase in this season’s flu vaccine uptake versus last year’s data.

According to the CDC’s estimates, influenza rates among the general public are up about 3.5% from this time last year.  What’s even more encouraging are that the statistics suggest greater vaccine coverage among certain high-risk populations including children, seniors and pregnant women. Read more…

Yesterday I had the privilege of being introduced to Emily Lastinger.  Her mother, Jen sounded much like any proud mother.  She spoke of how Emily liked princesses and power rangers.  She explained that Emily – like most 3 year olds – was both charming and challenging.  And she spoke of how Emily was enamored by her two big brothers, and excited about her soon-to-be-born sister.

Unfortunately, I will never have the opportunity to meet Emily - except in pictures and videos, and in the memories that her family holds dear.

And Emily never had the opportunity to meet her sister.

Unfortunately, Emily died as a result of influenza in 2004.

As I listened to her mother share her story, it was difficult not to think about my own children.  My now 10-year-old daughter, was the same age as Emily when she contracted the flu.  My 10-year-old daughter who is so vivacious and full of life.  Who is so inquisitive and full of wonder about the world.  Who is caring and generous.  Who makes me laugh, and smile, and cry, and worry.  I just couldn’t image my life without her, let alone this world without her.

Everyday I count my blessings and I pray for patience and understanding.  However, yesterday I struggled to understand how Emily’s life could be taken at such a young age.  Then I realized what a gift Emily and her family have given us.  In her three short years, Emily has managed to capture our attention.  Her parents have since made it their mission to help prevent unnecessary deaths from this vaccine preventable illness.  They are not only active participants in an organization called Families Fighting Flu, but they have taken action within their own state of Texas to ensure that schools across the state provide critical information about influenza vaccination by advocating for “Emily’s Law”.

As for Emily’s family, there will certainly always be a pain in their hearts as they are constantly reminded of their little angel in heaven.  But I, for one, am grateful that they care enough about me and my children – and you and your children – to push aside their heartbreak just long enough to share Emily’s story.  Their love and caring comes through in their story.  And they face their pain with determination and courage as they attempt to prevent this horrible tragedy from repeating itself within other families.

As Jen concluded her story yesterday, she said these strong, yet simple words.

“So, my message for all parents today is very simple.  Please vaccinate your children and yourselves this, and every flu season.  It could save the life of someone you love.”

In the video below, you will hear Emily’s story, as told by her father, Joe Lastinger.  You can also read Emily’s story at Families Fighting Flu.

If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, think of Emily and do it for her today.