Launch of New Educational Campaign, Spread the Word - NOT the Flu!, Aims to Highlight Importance of Influenza Vaccination
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Spread the Word - NOT the Flu! is a new educational program designed to teach students and their families about the seriousness of influenza and the importance of receiving an annual vaccination. Through this program, children can make a difference by helping their families and communities learn about influenza prevention.
Spread the Word - NOT the Flu! is a national program launched by Novartis Vaccines, together with Families Fighting Flu, Inc, a non-profit organization that provides support to all families affected by childhood influenza-related deaths, and Weekly Reader Corporation Custom Publishing. The program aims to help communities prepare for the 2007-2008 influenza season and reduce the burden associated with annual influenza infections.
"Influenza does not discriminate, so it is imperative that people of all ages are aware of the steps one can take to prevent the spread of this disease," said Theodore F. Tsai MD, MPH, FIDSA medical director, North America Novartis Vaccines. "This is why we are proud to sponsor this educational program specifically geared toward teaching students about influenza and encouraging them to share their knowledge with their family to help protect their community this influenza season."
Spread the Word - NOT the Flu! consists of a detailed curriculum that teaches students about influenza facts, such as how the virus spreads, what its symptoms are, who is at risk for potentially serious complications and how to help prevent the spread of influenza. This program can be accessed at http://www.SpreadTheWordNotTheFlu.com.
Students are encouraged to put their key learnings into practice by entering the "Influenza Ambassador Award Contest" where they will design a Public Service Announcement (PSA) advertisement to educate the public about the dangers of contracting influenza and explain how everyone can help prevent its spread. Upon entering the contest, students will be eligible to win a laptop computer and/or a college scholarship of up to $15,000.
"Most people don't realize that influenza is a highly contagious, serious condition that can affect us all, especially children," said Andrew Eisenberg MD, MHA, FAAFP, associate professor at the School of Rural Public Health at Texas A&M University. "In fact, some children are at an increased risk of contracting influenza, and in effect, are at higher risk for developing serious complications, such as pneumonia, which can eventually lead to death. For this reason, I encourage parents to get their children and themselves vaccinated each and every year."
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