An Influenza Education and Service Program

Why is the Flu Shot Important?

The reduction in the incidence of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases is one of the most significant public health achievements of the past 100 years. Lives and billions of dollars are saved each year through the use of the vaccines.

Influenza (called the flu) is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus. This disease attacks the lungs causing damage to the lining of the respiratory tract. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Thousands of people die from the flu in the United States due to complications resulting from the flu. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.

The best way to prevent this illness is by getting a flu vaccination each fall. There are two types of vaccines:

• The "flu shot" – an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
• The nasal-spray flu vaccine – a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against influenza-like illnesses caused by other viruses.

Even through vaccination rates have been increasing in Tennessee, research has shown that people at high risk for serious complications from the flu often do not understand the seriousness of influenza as a contagious and often deadly disease. Also, people do not get the flu shot because it is difficult or inconvenient to obtain

In response to the need to educate the public about the importance of the influenza vaccine and to provide access to the flu shot through nontraditional settings, Get the Flu Shot, Not the Flu, has been developed through the University of Tennessee (UT) Center for Community-based Health Initiatives. This is a partnership between the UT College of Pharmacy and UT Extension.

Get the Flu Shot, Not the Flu! is a unique community-based program because it is delivered through a county team of Extension educators and community pharmacists. It provides both education and service --- education through county Extension educators and service through the administration of the flu vaccine by community pharmacists. In Tennessee, pharmacists can be certified to administer the flu vaccine. UT Extension educators promote the need for the vaccine to clientele during educational programs offered in the fall. This program was pilot tested in seven counties. Pilot test results revealed:

Research Finding from the Pilot Test

Program Objectives

1. Establish community teams of pharmacists and UT Extension educators to promote the need for the vaccine in communities.
2. Increase community awareness about influenza and the value of the vaccine.
3. Promote the importance of getting the flu vaccine annually.
4. Promote where the flu shot is being offered in the program teams’ communities.
5. Administer the flu shot by certified pharmacists.
6. Build community partnerships among the pharmacy, medical, voluntary and public health community to ensure a coordinated, united effort to combat this disease.

Who Should Attend This Educational Program?

This program is designed for healthy adults, high risk adults, and caregivers of persons who are at high risk for influenza.

Educational Brochures

	If you Have Diabetes, A Flu Shot Could Save Your Life! (SP564)
	Are you Due for the Flu Shot this Fall?! (SP565)
	Key Facts About the Flu (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/keyfacts.pdf)
	Immunizations for Babies (http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4010imm.pdf)
	Vaccinations for Adults (http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4030a.pdf)
	Questions parents ask about baby shots (http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4025.pdf)
	When Do Children and Teens Need Vaccinations? (http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/when1.pdf)
	Give These People the Influenza Vaccine (http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2013flu.pdf)
	Are you 11 – 19 years old? (http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/11teens8.pdf)
	Adult Immunization Schedule (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/adult-schedule.htm)
	Adult Immunization Record
	Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule (http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/child-schedule.htm#Printable)
	Child Immunization Record
	Pneumococcal Disease (http://www.futureofaging.org/PublicationFiles/Pneumonia%20FINAL.pdf)

Want to Learn More About the Flu?

Visit the FCS Health & Safety - Immunizations page for great Web site links!

For more information about the UT Extension Health & Safety programs, please contact your local County Extension FCS Agent .

State Contacts