Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs that occurs in the US in the late fall, winter, and early spring. It is a serious infection that affects between 5-20% of the US population annually and can impact individuals of all ages. During the 2017-2018 US flu season, an estimated 900,000 individuals were hospitalized and nearly 80,000 deaths occurred due to flu and flu-related complications.
Join the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) on an exciting journey designed to help spread awareness about the importance of annual influenza (flu) vaccination with the Traveling Flu Bug!
Follow these easy steps to help spread awareness and #FightFlu by posting a photo with the #TravelingFluBug on social media (Twitter/Instagram):
- Print the Flu Bug template (free download at: nfid.org/travelingflubug)
- Take a picture with the Flu Bug in your hometown, office, school, near an interesting landmark, or with a famous celebrity
- Share the photo on Twitter using the hashtag #TravelingFluBug
All shared photos with the hashtag will appear in an online gallery at: https://travelingflubug.hscampaigns.com/.
The #TravelingFluBug is ready to travel the world on great adventures to help spread awareness, not disease! NFID will recognize top submissions in multiple categories throughout the season including:
- Furthest traveled
- Best selfie with the Flu Bug and a celebrity/national sports figure
- Best picture with an iconic landmark
- Picture in the scariest place for Halloween
- Best post about protecting family & friends against flu during the holidays
- Most likes/shares/comments on a #TravelingFluBug post
#TravelingFluBug made its way to the Tulsa-Arkansas game on Saturday at Razorback Stadium to help @NFIDvaccines spread awareness and #FightFlu!@RazorbackFB . pic.twitter.com/rTnIwbpsdJ
— Outland Trophy (@outlandtrophy) October 20, 2018
#TravelingFluBug made its way to the @HuskerFBNation vs. Northwestern game last Saturday at Ryan Field to help @NFIDVaccines spread awareness and #FightFlu! The Northwestern Fusion Dance Club helped the cause. @NUFBFamily. pic.twitter.com/YDAQ7pWnx1
— Outland Trophy (@outlandtrophy) October 15, 2018
#TravelingFluBug visited the @opry, The Parthenon and @VandyFootball Stadium in Nashville to help @NFIDvaccines spread awareness and #FightFlu! pic.twitter.com/IayI67OR22
— Outland Trophy (@outlandtrophy) October 12, 2018
.@NFIDPresident @JosephBocchini working to #FightFlu at @IDWeek2018 #TravelingFluBug pic.twitter.com/f5nxaFCn9x
— NFID (@NFIDvaccines) October 6, 2018
ODH Immunization Staff remind you that the flu is still traveling around. It isn’t too late to get your flu shot! #TravelingFluBug pic.twitter.com/ljKHVPVlzI
— Get Vaccinated Ohio (@GetVaccinatedOH) January 30, 2018
#TravelingFluBug #LifeisGrande @NaplesGrande pic.twitter.com/q7tMf7bRmi
— NFID (@NFIDvaccines) January 12, 2018
The #TravelingFluBug made its way to @CDCgov to help #FightFlu! https://t.co/sAim8HszHW @NFIDvaccines #NIVW pic.twitter.com/7SSqrA7cpd
— CDC Flu (@CDCFlu) December 7, 2017
The #TravelingFluBug has made its way to the Silver State! It scurried past some northern and southern landmarks (and Immunize Nevada staff) and even got to rock climb with our Executive Director! #NIVW2017 #NVFightFlu @NFIDvaccines pic.twitter.com/aTQt7erdlo
— Immunize Nevada (@ImmunizeNV) December 4, 2017
Help the #TravelingFluBug continue on its journey to spread awareness. Where will it turn up next?
To join the conversation and get the latest news on infectious diseases, follow NFID on Twitter using the hashtag #TravelingFluBug, like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, join the NFID Linkedin Group, and subscribe to NFID Updates.
