Abarca is raising awareness of influenza vaccination and the benefits of getting vaccinated against the flu.
National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is an annual awareness campaign in the U.S. that encourages everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated against influenza or the flu. It is led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This year, National Influenza Vaccination Week is from December 4 to 8.
According to the CDC, vaccination is especially important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, including young children. Every year, millions of children get sick with flu and thousands will be hospitalized as a result.
Flu viruses are constantly changing and protection from vaccination decreases over time, so getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to prevent it. Flu vaccines protect people against the flu and are proven to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.
The USDA reports that the flu can cause mild to severe illness but can also cause complications, some of which can be life-threatening. Getting the flu vaccine is the most important step to protect against the flu, especially for:
- Pregnant women and their developing babies
- Children younger than 5 years of age
- Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
During National Influenza Vaccination Week, healthcare organizations, public health agencies, and other partners across the country engage in various activities to promote flu vaccination. These activities include:
- Educating the public about the importance of flu vaccination, especially for high-risk populations like young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic health conditions.
- Hosting vaccination clinics and events to make it easier for people to get their flu shots.
- Distributing informational materials and resources about the flu and the benefits of vaccination.
- Encouraging healthcare professionals to emphasize the importance of flu vaccination to their patients.
- Emphasizing the importance of flu vaccination as a preventive measure to reduce the spread of the flu, protect vulnerable populations, and minimize the burden on healthcare systems.
National Influenza Vaccination Week serves as a reminder that flu season typically peaks during the winter months, and it’s not too late to get vaccinated even after the start of the flu season.
Abarca is proud to support this movement this month and encourage people to get their annual flu shot. The more people vaccinated against the flu, the more people are protected from it. We are All In when it comes to advocating for vaccination among children and adults. We hope you can join us in advocating for influenza vaccination this December.