Flu Vaccination: Why It Matters and What You Can Do

Influenza can result in serious complications, hospitalization, and death. Annual vaccination is the primary way to help prevent influenza and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1, 2

Help protect your vulnerable patients during the flu season

While February is considered peak flu season, when the flu season actually peaks is difficult to predict, and it can vary by region and season throughout the country.3

Children, the elderly, and people with certain health conditions are at especially higher risk4

  • Children under 5 years of age and especially under 2 years of age are at higher risk for serious flu complications4,5
  • 26,639 children under age 5 were estimated to have been hospitalized due to flu complications in the 2019-2020 US influenza season6
  • In recent years, an estimated 70%-85% of seasonal flu-related deaths and 50%-70% of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations have occurred in people 65 years of age and older7
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During the 2019-2020 flu season, vaccination prevented an estimated 7.09 million illnesses, 100,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations, and 7,100 influenza-associated deaths8

CDC data show that in the 2021-2022 flu season, vaccination reached9,a:

48% of adults and 64% of children

An analysis* was conducted of aggregate changes in vaccination claims for all vaccines, including influenza vaccinations for adolescents (aged 7-18 years) and adults (aged 19+ years) across commercial and government payer markets. Compared to 2019 data on a month-by-month basis, for the period of January 2020-July 2021, adolescents and adults may have missed an estimated 37.1 million doses of ACIP-recommended vaccines. This corresponded to a drop in adolescent claims for vaccination of 7-64% and a decrease of 15-62% in adult claims when compared to claims in 2019.10

aNational Immunization Survey-Flu data (NIS-Flu) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

 

*Funding for this research was provided by GSK. The research was not conducted by GSK. Avalere Health retained full editorial control.

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Total influenza vaccination claims were mostly lower from January 2020 through July 2021 compared to 2019.10

Steps you can take to help close the vaccination gap

Make sure patients are aware of your immunization policy

  • Discuss your policy with patients during their visit
  • Post a copy of your policy in your waiting room and on your website

Keep up to date on CDC vaccination recommendations

  • CDC publishes new vaccination schedules every February and influenza seasonal guidance for the US prior to each flu season every August
  • As updated immunization guidance becomes available, share this information with your patients

Take every opportunity to vaccinate

  • Identify patients who have missed wellness visits and schedule appointments
  • Take advantage of holiday breaks, wellness visits, and other vaccine appointments to recommend flu vaccination

Remain persistent in your vaccination efforts

  • Use reminder and recall systems and health records to check for patients who may have missed vaccinations
  • Continue vaccination throughout flu season as long as the spread of flu remains prevalent

3 ways to order or prebook

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Call 1-855-475-4QIV (4748)

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Online at GSKDirect.com 

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Contact your GSK Vaccines
Sales Representative