NFID Partner Update: NFID Releases Social Media Toolkit Following CDC’s Advisory to Increase Flu Vaccination Rates

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The National Federation of Infectious Diseases (NFID) has shared information from CDC regarding the need to increase vaccination rates for the flu as well as a social media kit with resources to help raise awareness about the flu.

According to the recent urgent advisory from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), citing the early and elevated incidence of respiratory diseases, including flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), everyone age 6 months or older who has not received an influenza (flu) vaccine this season, or who is not up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, should get vaccinated now. The CDC surveillance data, combined with low vaccination rates, has experts worried about the strain on US hospitals and healthcare systems.

Anyone can get sick with flu, but certain groups are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications, including adults age 65+, and those with certain chronic health conditions, including heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and kidney disease. Pneumococcal vaccination is also recommended for children age 2 years and younger, adults age 65+, and younger adults who have certain medical conditions or other risk factors.

Flu vaccines and other recommended vaccines, including COVID-19 boosters, can be given at the same visit and can help prevent hospitalization and death.

3 Actions NFID Partners Can Take To Help Raise Awareness about Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Prevention:

  1. Share NFID sample social media posts and graphics using the resources below
  2. If you have a family member, co-worker, friend, or neighbor impacted by flu, encourage them to share their story to help raise awareness about the burden of flu and the importance of annual flu vaccination.
  3. Organizations can join the NFID Leading By Example initiative to make a public commitment to annual flu prevention and share flu vaccination photo(s) using the hashtags #FightFlu and #LeadingByExample. Download an NFID flu paddle to hold while you #GetVaccinated and be sure to tag @NFIDvaccines when posting on social media.