Influenza (flu) is a contagious and potentially deadly virus that can result in serious complications for individuals living with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes, even when chronic conditions are well-controlled. Estimates indicate that 31 percent of US adults age 50-64 years and 47 percent of those age 65 and older have at least one chronic health condition that puts them at high risk for flu-related complications, including hospitalization, catastrophic disability, and even death.
There is an urgent need to raise awareness of the burden of flu in adults with chronic health conditions. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a key role in communicating the known benefits of annual flu vaccination in mitigating the risks of flu and reducing severe flu-related outcomes in patients with chronic health conditions. Additionally, HCPs must be prepared to recognize and address barriers to vaccination, including lack of consumer confidence in vaccine efficacy and misperceptions about the impact of flu, and should insist upon annual flu vaccination—particularly for patients with known chronic health conditions and for those who may have an undiagnosed chronic health condition or are likely to spread flu to others.
View the list of supporting organizations that have signed on to support the goals of increasing awareness of the dangers of influenza infection among adults with chronic health conditions and the benefits of annual vaccination, to ultimately improve public health and patient outcomes.
NFID has developed the following free downloadable resources for HCPs and patients, in collaboration with our partner organizations:
Public Service Announcements
Animated videos highlighting the importance of flu prevention in those with chronic health conditions
Infographics
Fact Sheets for Specific Chronic Health Conditions
Additional Resources
Flu & Chronic Health Conditions: Supporting Organizations
Organizations that have signed on to support the goals of increasing awareness of the dangers of influenza infection among adults with chronic health conditions and the benefits of annual vaccination
Flu & Chronic Health Conditions: Sample Social Media Posts and Graphics
Sample social media posts and graphics focused on important messages about flu & chronic health conditions
Flu & Chronic Health Conditions: Sample Newsletter/Website Content
Sample newsletter/website content focused on important messages about flu & chronic health conditions
Flu & Chronic Health Conditions: Continuing Professional Education
Continuing education focused on the importance of preventing flu in individuals with chronic health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease
Protecting Older Adults 65+ Against Influenza: Sample Social Media & Graphics
Sample social media posts and graphics focused on important messages about flu & adults 65+
Protecting Older Adults 65+ Against Influenza: Flu Alert Infographic
Infographic highlighting the importance of protecting adults 65+ from flu
Protecting Older Adults 65+ Against Influenza: On-Hold Scripts
Sample on-hold scripts focused on important messages about protecting adults 65 years and older against flu
Healthcare Professionals’ Guide for Speaking with Parents
Common questions about influenza vaccination along with proposed responses you can use when discussing vaccination with parents and others
Flu “Funnies” (Videos)
These humorous videos show some of the extreme measures parents might take to protect their children from seasonal influenza, and how easy a simple vaccination is in comparison
