Influenza is the Leading Cause of Vaccine Preventable Deaths in Children Under 5

Each year, many children under the age of five die and hundreds more are hospitalized because of the flu. This is all despite the fact that there is a vaccine available to help prevent the flu. In fact, influenza is now the leading cause of vaccine preventable deaths in children under the age of five. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all children aged six months to five years should get the vaccine. However, only a fraction of children receive that vaccination which leaves many children vulnerable. Why is this and what is being done about it? A new survey may be able to shed some light on why this situation is occurring and a new initiative may be able to help combat the situation.

Approximately one-hundred children under the age of five die from the flu each year in the United States. Another twenty-thousand are hospitalized because of the illness. Influenza is caused by a virus and affects everyone differently. Symptoms can be mild causing everything from a sore throat to a fever. In children, however, the virus can be much more severe and sometimes fatal. Children are at a particularly high risk of serious flu complications. Children aged two and under are especially susceptible to influenza and its complications. Because it is a virus, there is no specific treatment. The only "cure" is prevention.

The new survey was backed by the Visiting Nurses Associations of America (VNAA) and conducted by Ipsos. It included more than one-thousand online interviews with American mothers who all had children under the age of ten. The interviews took place during August, 2007. Statisticians found the margin of error to be less than 3.0 percentage points in either direction when weighted against the general population. The results showed that nearly half of moms with children under the age of five did not get their children vaccinated every year. When ask why, one-third didn't think it was necessary. Others said they opted out of the vaccinate because they either didn't have time or their children are afraid of shots. The vast majority said they are not concerned that their children will develop serious complications from the flu. Astoundingly, only two percent believed their children would catch the flu at home. When the mothers were asked about their approach to treating the flu, nearly half indicated they "let nature take its course."

Needless to say, these findings are alarming. That is why the VNAA has joined forces with Families Fighting Flu and The Clorox Company to help do something about the situation. The three organizations have helped create the Say "Boo!" to the Flu program. The program is aimed at raising awareness of the serious nature of influenza and how to prevent the illness. The ultimate goal of the program is to increase influenza vaccinations. The Say "Boo!" to the Flu program hits the road in October and will travel across the country holding various events. The events will educate the entire family on flu and how to prevent it. There will also be vaccinations available at the event, making it easy for the whole family to get vaccinated in one place.

Influenza is a serious illness, particularly in children. Vaccination is obviously the first step in prevention. However, experts also recommend that parents and children become educated on other ways to prevent the illness. These include proper hand washing, disinfecting household items, and covering your mouth when you cough (not with your hand, of course). The Say "Boo!" to the Flu program teaches all of this. For more information on the program including a tour schedule, please visit http://www.sayboototheflu.com.

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