National Influenza Vaccination Week
National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a national observance that was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as foster greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond. This year's NIVW (originally scheduled for December 6-10, 2009) is now rescheduled for January 10–16, 2010.
H1N1 disease is likely to continue into the New Year, NIVW will be an important opportunity to maintain or increase the uptake of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination at a time when demand for vaccine usually drops significantly. Influenza is unpredictable and we do not know the likelihood of a future wave of H1N1 influenza, but we do know that vaccination is the first and most important step in protecting against influenza.
One of the many goals for NIVW is to engage at-risk audiences who are not yet vaccinated, hesitant about vaccination, or unsure about where to get vaccinated. Every year, certain days of NIVW are designated to highlight the importance for certain groups like health care workers and children to get vaccinated. This year’s national schedule includes:
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Day
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Focus
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Sunday, Jan 10
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Kickoff
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Monday, Jan 11
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General audience and health care workers
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Tuesday, Jan 12
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People with chronic health conditions that put them at high-risk of serious influenza–related complications
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Wednesday,
Jan 13
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Children, pregnant women, and caregivers of infants less than 6 months old
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Thursday, Jan 14
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Young adults (19 to 24 years old)
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Friday, Jan 15
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Seniors
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Please see below for locations on where to get your flu vaccine.
Find Flu Shots Online Via
CCME’s Interactive Flu Clinic Finder
For the eighth straight year, The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence (CCME) is providing a Web-based list of flu clinics in the Carolinas. To find a clinic near you, visit CCME’s Flu Clinic Finder at www.thecarolinascenter.org/fcf. Last flu season, more than 3,595 flu clinics were listed on the Flu Clinic Finder, attracting more than 39,000 Web hits. This season, CCME expects to have just as many or more listings to provide you with an abundance of choices when you are ready to get your flu shot.
A vaccine to protect against 2009 H1N1 influenza (“swine flu”) is expected to be available this fall. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009 and is different from the flu virus that is typically experienced in the United States every flu season. The vaccine for seasonal flu is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu.
In June, the World Health Organization declared the 2009 H1N1 flu a pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently estimated that, in the United States, more than one million cases of 2009 H1N1 flu have occurred. The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu are expected to be similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. They include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds, and other social distancing measures. These measures will continue to be important after the 2009 H1N1 vaccine is available because they can prevent the spread of other viruses that cause respiratory infections.
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