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NACCP, Families Fighting Flu, and the Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition Team Up to Educate Families About Annual Childhood Flu Vaccination

New Survey: Misinformation, Concern among Mothers Regarding Protecting Children from the Flu

November 12, 2008

News Facts

  • Today the National Association of Child Care Professionals (NACCP), Families Fighting Flu (FFF) and the Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition (CIIC) are launching the second annual nationwide flu awareness campaign for children, "Fighting Flu in Child Care Settings: Building Blocks to Increase Influenza Awareness."
  • The goals of the program are to educate parents about the seriousness of influenza in children and increase influenza vaccination rates in more than 1,300 child care centers across the country.
  • Children die every year in the United States from influenza and its complications; over the past five flu seasons, nearly 400 children have died from influenza and its complications. More than 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized due to influenza each year.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children aged six months through 18 years get vaccinated against the flu every year - and 81 percent of mothers recently surveyed did not know this.
  • The campaign aims to supply child care centers across the country with family-friendly tools and materials to help educate parents about the importance of annual flu vaccination in children; now through the end of March, child care center directors will be individually tracking flu vaccinations for children within their centers and encouraging healthy preventative practices.
  • This program is funded by an unrestricted educational grant to FFF from sanofi pasteur.

Click here to read key findings from a new survey of mothers of children in child care regarding flu awareness and prevention.

Click here to view or download the flu awareness campaign fact sheet.

Quotes, Photos and Bios

Sherry Workman, Executive Director and CEO of NACCP:

  • "Protecting kids in child care centers from the flu means a healthier child care center environment and potentially, a healthier community for all of us."
  • "We were very pleased that 90 percent or more of children in many of our centers were vaccinated against the flu during last year's campaign, and we are excited to be able to educate even more parents and vaccinate even more children and families this flu season."

Click here to read a bio of Sherry Workman.

Richard Kanowitz, President of Families Fighting Flu and father of 4-year-old Amanda, who died suddenly from influenza in March 2004:

  • "Vaccinating children against the flu is the single best way to protect them and their families from the virus."
  • "Unfortunately, many parents still don't know that the flu is far more serious than the common cold, and that it is likely to be prevented with a simple annual flu vaccination. I urge all parents to ask their doctor about childhood flu vaccination this flu season."

Click here to download a high resolution photo of Amanda Kanowitz.

Click here to read Amanda's story.

Dr. Carol J. Baker, NFID immediate past president, CIIC moderator:

  • "It's so important for parents to know that the CDC recommends that all children six months through 18 years of age get vaccinated against the flu every year. The bottom line is that anyone who wants to reduce his or her risk of becoming ill with influenza, or of spreading it to others, should get an annual influenza vaccination."

Click here to read a bio of Carol Baker.

Please contact Laura Scott to arrange an interview and/or for additional quotes.

Podcast

Click here to listen to an audio podcast with FFF Board member Julie Moise and NACCP Executive Director/CEO Sherry Workman about the importance of children getting vaccinated against the flu.

About Families Fighting Flu, Inc.

Families Fighting Flu (FFF) is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization established in 2004 that is made up of families and healthcare practitioners. Each family has experienced first-hand the death of a child due to the flu or has had a child experience severe medical complications from the flu. We are dedicated to educating people about the severity of influenza and the importance of vaccinating children against the flu every year. Through education and advocacy, we hope to improve the rates of childhood flu vaccinations and help reduce the number of childhood illnesses and deaths caused by the flu each year. For more information, visit www.familiesfightingflu.org or call 1-888-2ENDFLU.

About NACCP

The National Association of Child Care Professionals (NACCP) is the nation's leader among associations serving child care owners, directors, and administrators. NACCP is committed to strengthening the skill level of leaders in the field of early child care and education. The organization's members believe that effective management is the critical link to superior child care and are striving to improve the quality of early child care and education. For more information, visit www.naccp.org or call 1-800-537-1118.

About the Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition

The Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition (CIIC) was established by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) to protect infants, children and adolescents from influenza by communicating with "one strong voice" the need to make influenza immunization a national health priority. CIIC seeks to address and improve the low influenza immunization rates among children. Members represent more than 25 of the nation's leading public health, medical, patient and parent groups committed to protecting children's health and encouraging wellness. For more information, visit www.preventchildhoodinfluenza.org or call 212-886-2277.