CDC Wants Mommybloggers to Get the Word Out On Flu Shots

The CDC held their 2nd annual webinar today, reaching out to mommybloggers to ask for help getting the word out about the need for flu shots. Here are screenshots...  and here are more images from CDC flu shot influenza immunization blogger webinar 2007.

It was sooooo much better than last year's. This year a mother who's a communications person at the CDC talked through slides and voiceover, rather than last year's pristinely uniformed physician talking heads on video. Yeah, I know, I'm a doc, but they were so stiff last year. This year they got the message through loud and clear: Go Get Flu Shots! Ask a friend who's had influenza, like me. We'll tell you how miserable we were. Almost a quarter of a million people are hospitalized for this every year, and 36,000 people die from it. There's still time. It takes 2 weeks for protection to kick in, and the flu season peaks in January to February, go get your shot now! I took a lot of notes, so read on.....

Why care about flu? It's miserable to experience the flu, trust me, I had it last year in June in Singapore (winter in the southern hemisphere you know), and had fever, chills, muscle aches, and hallucinations. Many elderly and children/infants die of flu and subsequent pneumonia. It's no laughing matter, it's much worse than a simple cold.

Who need the flu shot: everyone benefits, but those at high risk are those over 50 and under 5. Those under 6 months unfortunately can't get the shot, so it's even more important for household contacts to get it to protect these wee little ones. Others at high risk include those with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, healthcare and childcare workers.

Almost 3/4 of the US population is recommended to get the flu shot, 220 million, but less than 1/2 of them get it because they don't realize the importance. This year isn't like last year, we have plenty of shots this year, and everyone who asks can get it.

Reasons why people think they don't need it:
- other people can get it and I'll be protected (unfortunately this immunization is not used by enough people to give you and your family herd immunity, you can get it)
- the flu won't kill me (but it could kill a loved one of yours who's at high risk)
- my doctor didn't recommend one (some physicians forget-- trust me, I know)
- flu shots will give my kids autism (no link between flu shots and autism)
- flu shots will give me the flu (some people get a cold at the same time as getting the shot, it wasn't the flu, the flu's much worse... the flu shot only gives mild flu-like symptoms, and infrequently)

Ask a friend who's had influenza, like me. We'll tell you how miserable we were......