Use Resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to Guide Future Planning for Threats to Children

You Can Still Take Action to Prevent the Flu

Although the influenza (flu) season is wrapping up, there are still opportunities to increase annual flu vaccination rates and protect children. As emphasized during awareness events such as National Infant Immunization Week, it is critical to follow-up and vaccinate infants who were previously too young to get the flu vaccine. These efforts would include infants not yet vaccinated who recently or just now are turning 6 months of age or those babies who received one dose of the seasonal flu vaccine but have not yet been given the second dose. This second dose of flu vaccine is often neglected, but it is critical to boost immunity. Informing families about the importance of flu prevention and control through various messaging strategies can make a real difference. The AAP and its National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness developed a 1 minute animated video that emphasizes the importance of everyone receiving a flu vaccination every year, focusing on child care professionals and the children in their care. The video also is available in Spanish.

The AAP and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are also collaborating to develop and maintain a flu-focused “Key Contact Network”. The goal of the network is to learn from each other’s experiences and identify ways to work together to promote flu prevention and control, particularly in children. If you are interested in learning more or joining this network, please email DisasterReady@aap.org.

For additional flu information, see the AAP Red Book Online Influenza Resource page or the AAP What’s the Latest with the Flu messaging series.

You Need to Remain Vigilant to Prevent Mosquito Bites (and Zika Virus)

Zika virus continues to be a problem in certain parts of the world. As the temperatures begin to rise, mosquitos will re-appear. Although Zika virus isn’t broadcast in the news nearly as often anymore, parents still have questions, especially about whether there is still a risk for Zika virus and if it’s safe to travel to certain areas. After a review of current data on the spread of Zika throughout the world, the CDC recently updated the Zika travel guidance. This includes an updated interactive World Map of Areas with Zika where users can search for location-specific Zika information and recommendations. The AAP and ZERO TO THREE collaborated to develop 30-second videos describing the importance of talking to your doctor about Zika if you're pregnant and the need to avoid travel to areas affected by the Zika virus if you're pregnant or considering pregnancy. Consider sharing these short videos with families, as well as a link to the AAP HealthyChildren.org Web page, Zika Virus: What Parents Need to Know

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