We all know how the news works: it is almost guaranteed that bad news precedes good news. This fact is no different concerning vaccines, and many healthcare professionals are facing the difficult task of removing the barriers created by bad press.It is difficult to come across a pharmaceutical product that does not have an incredible list of possible side effects. If these risks are associated with oral medications, you can easily see how concerns would increase when administration of a drug is by syringe! Children have an innate fear of needles, and parents sometimes feed into this apprehension. Coupled with the parents’ own fears of adverse reactions, a large percentage of our child population goes without vaccinations, especially during flu season.
In fact, during the 2007-2008 flu season, only 22% of children ages 6 months to 23 months in the United States were fully vaccinated against influenza. As a result, over 121 child deaths were reported to the CDC and more than 20,000 children were hospitalized due to complications directly related to the flu.
The good news is that the flu vaccine is effective in children over 65% of the time. With full vaccinations (in the 6 to 23 month age range, a vaccination and a booster is required) these number rise, and local clinics, doctor’s offices, employers, and even some neighborhood grocery stores make the vaccinations readily available.
So, how can you, as a healthcare professional, ensure that our children are protected from the flu?
Be educated about vaccinations of all kinds. Be sure to know the myths versus the facts. Did you hear from a fellow coworker that a certain vaccination is linked to a strange side effect? Take the time to learn about it and research the information. Anticipate the questions asked by patients of any age, and be ready to respond to the different theories and alternatives offered by the people you know.
Share information with your fellow staff members and your patients. Not many of us know that the flu season can last until May! Most people believe that flu season ends in January or February when, in all actuality, this is when flu activity peaks. With this in mind, flu vaccinations in your office should begin in late August and continue to be available through spring months.
Provide opportunities to your patients. Encourage your facility to send out cards that remind patient families to get vaccinated. If they can’t afford vaccinations at your facility or clinic, know and suggest the other locations in your area that offer the vaccines at a lower cost. While we are all concerned with the revenue generated by services at our facilities, we also have a primary responsibility to care for the patient and their families.
Don’t Forget About the CDC’s 2009 National Influenza Vaccination Week, December 6-12. This is the perfect time to raise awareness in your neighborhood or facility. The designated week is right in the middle of the holidays, and kids love goodies, candy and toys along with the other festivities surrounding the season. When their attention is on the fun stuff, shots may not seem so bad.
Don’t be frustrated with the Mom’s that “couldn’t imagine doing that to their child” or the Dad’s that heard about “that thing that kids only get when they get vaccines”. Give them the information they need to make the decisions that could possibly save their child’s life.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/season.htm
Families Fighting Flu, Inc.
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/fff/36289
By: Elena Hill
Medical Client Services Manager
Kennmark Medical
