Seasonal influenza resources
Seasonal influenza
Every year, seasonal influenza affects 5 percent to 20 percent of all U.S. residents, and is responsible for a broad range of deaths from year to year. Between the 1976-77 and the 2006-07 season, flu deaths were as low as 3,000 a year to as high as 49,000 and more than 200,000 hospitalizations from influenza-related illness and complications. This tells us that influenza can be highly unpredictable and variable in severity. Healthcare facilities and providers prepare each year for seasonal influenza with infection prevention activities including vaccine administration to patients, healthcare workers (HCW) and the community. With currently adequate influenza vaccine availability but less than optimal vaccination rates among all age groups in the United States, there needs to be increased focus on strategies to improve vaccination.
Efforts to improve seasonal influenza vaccination rates among health care workers and individuals in the community at increased risk should serve as the foundation for planning for a coordinated response in the event of pandemic influenza.
For information on pandemic influenza, please see "Pandemic Influenza resources."
Weekly Flu update 2011-2012
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Visit CDC Site for additional details on 2012 influenza cases
General influenza information
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Flu.gov - Know what to do about the flu.
- CDC-ACIP Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011. Final August 26, 2011, 60(33) 1128-1132.
- The full edition includes the early release. These recommendations are similar to 2010-2011, but with additional important information.
- CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older as the first and best way to protect against influenza.
- This recommendation is the same even during years when the vaccine composition (the viruses the vaccine protects against) remains unchanged from the previous season.
- There are two reasons for getting a yearly flu vaccine.
1. Flu viruses are constantly changing and flu vaccines may be updated from one season to the next to protect against the most recent and most commonly circulating viruses.
2. Annual vaccination is recommended because a person’s immune protection from vaccination declines over time and annual vaccination is needed for optimal protection.
- Full summary - Influenza 2011-12_CDC ACIP recommendations, August 2011
- CDC-ACIP Recommendations, 2010-2011 season. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Influenza Vaccine Recommendations, 2010. The August 6, 2010/59(rr08); 1-62 should continue to be referenced for other information on influenza vaccines.
- 2011-2012 Flu Season Questions-Answers
Influenza infection control guidelines
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Download Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Healthcare Settings
2010-11
Or go to: Infection Control Guidance for the Prevention and Control of Influenza 2010-11