Seasonal influenza vaccination reminder
Seasonal influenza vaccination is cost-effective but under-utilized. Since seasonal influenza vaccination has been shown to be highly effective in reducing the morbidity and mortality of influenza, improving the influenza vaccination rate should have a positive impact on your patients.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently forecasts an adequate supply of the seasonal influenza vaccine for the 2009-2010 influenza season. You may want to consider actions that support influenza vaccinations, such as standing orders, computerized record reminders, chart reminders, mailed/telephoned reminders, expanding access, and patient education. Detailed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations are available at the CDC website.

The CDC encourages practitioners to recommend flu shots for people in the following groups who do not have a contraindication to seasonal influenza vaccine: 

  • Children aged 6 months through 18 years
  • People 50 years of age and older 
  • Pregnant women 
  • Persons who have immunosuppression
  • People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities 
  • People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions including pulmonary, cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, cognitive, neurological/neuromuscular, hematological, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes)
  • People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including: health care workers and household contacts and caregivers of children less than 5 years of age, or adults age 50 or older and household contacts of persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk of severe complications of influenza
     

 Issue 12, 2009 • Blue Review • www.bcbsnm.com