National Influenza Vaccination Week

As winter approaches, it is important to be aware of flu season. Flu viruses typically spread in fall and winter, with activity peaking between December and February. National Influenza Vaccination Week - December 4-8, 2023 - is a great opportunity to encourage all WIC participants 6 months and older, and WIC staff, to get their flu vaccine (also available in Spanish).

The flu can cause mild to severe illness but can also cause complications, some of which can be life-threatening. Getting the flu vaccine is the most important step to protect against the flu, especially for:

• Pregnant women and their developing babies
• Children younger than 5 years of age
• Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups

Test your Flu IQ with this interactive quiz.
 

Educate

Resources to inform participants on flu and the flu vaccine include:

• The difference between the Flu and COVID-19
• The difference between the Flu and a cold 
• Who Should and Should NOT get a Flu Vaccine 
• Flu vaccine-related topics available as digital resources
• Safety information about the flu vaccine, including a Q&A (easily printable and also available in Spanish) and information specific to getting the flu shot during pregnancy (also available in Spanish)
• A resource center with communication and education materials for participants who may be hesitant to get a flu vaccine
• Healthy Habits to Help Protect Against Flu (also available in Spanish)
• Flu Information for Parents with Young Children, a resource page also available in Spanish with a fact sheet, video, and other materials

In addition to flu resources on WIC Works, you can find other immunization-related resources, such as: 

• 2023 Immunization Webinar for WIC Staff
• Vaccines 101 - Information for WIC Staff
• Immunizations for Parents and Parents-to-be – booklets, in Spanish and English, to help answer questions about and address the importance of vaccines
• Immunization Schedule for Children: Birth through 6 Years
• Information on Measles
• COVID-19 - Breastfeeding and Pregnancy – new and updated information about vaccination recommendations, including boosters for eligible individuals

Promote

In addition to CDC infographics, videos, and podcasts, those with a digital presence can use buttons and badges on their websites, and those with social media can:

• Share information relevant to your participants with sample messages and graphics for the flu and pregnant women and how the flu vaccine protects children. 
• Use the CDC Digital Media Toolkit: 2023-2024 Flu Season containing social media images and messages, web buttons and badges, videos, and print-ready materials like posters and flyers (some available in Spanish or multiple languages).

Assist

Help your participants find flu vaccines (also available in Spanish) in their area, and share Flu & Pregnancy and Flu & Breastfeeding resources that cover medication safety for these populations. All participants should be encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider about medications they are taking or want to take.

Use the widgets below to find a flu or COVID-19 vaccine near you.