It's not too late for a flu shot

Remind Your Patients about Flu Vaccination

Text messaging in health care streamlines communication between all members of the care team. It’s a fast, efficient, and convenient method to convey information. If your practice uses text messaging, consider sending patients a reminder that it’s not too late to receive their flu shot. Seasonal influenza activity in Ohio remains elevated. It is designated as “very high” per recent reporting data.

Here are sample texts to send:

FOR PARENTS OF PEDIATRIC PATIENTS:

  • Need two reasons to help protect your child against flu?
    1. Serious complications from flu can occur even if a child is healthy. Getting a flu vaccine helps protect not just your child, it may help protect others as well. 2. The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for eligible children age 6 months and older.
  • Is your child fully vaccinated against flu? The CDC recommends two doses of flu vaccine for children age 6 months to 8 years who have not been previously vaccinated.
  • Flu season might be longer than you think – it can last into June. It’s not too late to help protect your child from flu.


FOR OLDER ADULTS:

  • Have a new baby in the family? People who plan to be around newborns should be vaccinated against flu at least two weeks beforehand.


ALL ADULTS:

  • Every year the flu evolves, so vaccines are updated accordingly. Even if you got a flu vaccine last year, you will benefit from getting one this year.
  • Influenza can lead to serious illnesses, including pneumonia, in otherwise healthy people. Otherwise, healthy people who come down with the flu can spread it to more vulnerable people, like children, older adults, and those with chronic illnesses.


For more information, see the AOA resources here.

This email is sent as part of the AOA grant project for innovative communication strategies to educate patients and families about influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.