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Vaccinate Illinois Week is a statewide observance of National Influenza Vaccination Week, an annual initiative led by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to educate the public about the importance of influenza (flu) vaccination throughout the fall and winter months.

While flu outbreaks can happen as early as OctobeWhile flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time flu activity peaks in January or later.

During Vaccinate Illinois Week, partner organizations host influenza vaccine clinics, statewide, to promote health and expand access to the flu vaccine to keep residents healthy through the holiday season and beyond.

“It’s Not Too Late to Get a Flu Shot”

In most years, flu activity peaks in January or later so getting a flu shot now will keep people from getting sick during the holidays and beyond.

VVaccination is the best form of protection against the flu.

Every individual over the age of six months should get a flu shot.

Flu shots are safe and effective.

It is not possible to get the flu from a flu shot.

Because the flu vaccine is made Because the flu vaccine is made from egg products, people who are allergic to eggs should talk to their health care provider about which flu vaccine to get.

Flu shots are especially important Flu shots are especially important for health care workers and anyone who lives with or cares for anyone at increased risk for flu complications including infants, pregnant women, senior citizens and people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or lung

#VaccinateIL#VaccinateIL Week is our official hashtag! Use it on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and more to raise awareness.

Creative ToolboxOur friends at Walgreens have developed a wonderful creative toolbox that includes logos, guidelines and other information pertaining to VIW branding. For more info, email: pertaining to VIW branding. For more info, email: Christopher.Brown@Walgreens.com.

URLThere currently isn’t a go-to URL for Vaccinate Illinois Week. If your ogranization is posting VIW information on its website please direct the public to your site. Otherwise, CDPH will list all VIW public events online at www.CityofChicago.org/FLU.

Mix It Up!Mix It Up!Combine #VaccinateIL with the following hashtags to expand reach!

#Flu #FightFlu#FluShot#GetAFluShot#GetAFlu#GetAFluVax#FluChicago

Outreach Tools

Overview

Key Messages

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinoiswww.bcbsil.com

Chicago Department of Public Healthwww.CityofChicago.org/HEALTH

CVS www.CVS.com

DuPage County Health DepartmentDuPage County Health Departmentwww.dupagehealth.org

EverThrive Illinois www.ilmaternal.org

Illinois Academy of Family Physicianswww.iafp.com

Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of PediatricsAcademy of Pediatricshttp://illinoisaap.org

Illinois Department of Public Healthwww.idph.state.il.us

Illinois Public Health Associationwww.ipha.com

Jewel-Osco www.JewelOsco.com

Northern Chapter of the Illinois Northern Chapter of the Illinois American College of Physicianswww.acponline.org

Northern Illinois Public Health Consortiumwww.niphc.org

Telligen wwwww.telligen.org

Walgreenswww.Walgreens.com

2013 Partners

Sample Tweets & Posts

Vaccinate Illinois Week Starts Today! Join the movement! Follow #VaccinateIL to find activities in your area! #FightFlu

It’s Not Too Late to #GetAFluShot Especially during #VaccinateIL week! Find out how at [your website]

In an Illinois State of Mind? In an Illinois State of Mind? #GetAFluShot today during Vaccinate Illinois Week #VaccinateIL [your website]

Put a #FluShot on this week's checklist! Many options available checklist! Many options available during #VaccinateIL week! [your website]

Spread the word, not the #flu. Did you know that #fluseason often peaks in January or later? #GetAFluShot & share this image to remind friends and loved ones to do the same. #VaccinateIL [attach an image]

Still haven’t gotten a flu shot? It’s not too late! Especially during Vaccinate Illinois Week. Vaccines available statewide. [your website]

ItIt’s Vaccinate Illinois Week! #VaccinateIL is a time to remind friends and family about the importance of getting a flu shot. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot as the best way to reduce the chance of getting the flu. Find out more at [your website]

True or False: If you haven’t gotten a flu shot before the holidays, it’s too late. We’ll post the answer later today! ##VaccinateIL

For Immediate Release Date: December __, 2013 Contact:

Get A Flu Shot During Vaccinate Illinois Week, December 8-14

While flu activity is currently low in Illinois, public health oWhile flu activity is currently low in Illinois, public health officials expect activity to increase over the coming weeks. To reduce the risk of illness, public health departments and healthcare organizations across the state, including (your company’s name) are encouraging residents to get a flu shot during Vaccinate Illinois Week, December 8 through the 14. Vaccinate Illinois Week is a statewide observance focused on educating the public about the importance of flu vaccine during the fall and winter months.

“It“It’s not too late to get a flu shot,” said ______________. In fact, Vaccinate Illinois Week is an ideal time to get vaccinated since influenza activity often peaks in January, and it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against infection.”

Public health officials recommend that everyone six months of age and older should be vaccinated against influenza, especially pregnant women, young children, people 65 years of age and older, and anyone with underlying health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. A flu vaccine is needed every year because flu viruses are constantly changing.

People with flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet awaPeople with flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away. Most experts think that flu viruses are spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Less often, a person might also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose.

Although getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting influenza, you can also reduce your risk by:- Washing your hands regularly with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.- Practicing good cough etiquette, such as coughing into your elbow instead of your hands.- Practicing good cough etiquette, such as coughing into your elbow instead of your hands.- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth; germs are spread this way.- Avoiding close contact with sick people.

If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.

Certain people are at greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu. This includes older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and persons who live in facilities like nursing homes.

Symptoms can include feveSymptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Complications of the flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000.

Flu shots are available at numerous locations, including health departments, pharmacies and healthcare providers.providers. To find a flu shot clinic close to you, use the Flu Vaccine Finder at: http://www.flu.gov/. For more information, visit ________________.

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