To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/nfid/34622/ The recently expanded recommendations, which now include annual influenzavaccination for all children from six months through 18 years of age, werestrongly endorsed today by a panel of leading experts gathered at a newsconference. The panelists also addressed the significant public healthbenefits of annual influenza vaccination and pneumococcal vaccination. NFIDsponsored the event in collaboration with the National Influenza VaccineSummit, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Academy ofPediatrics (AAP), AARP, American Medical Association (AMA) and Centers forMedicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

New CDC data show that only one in five children 6 through 23 months ofage (21.3 percent) were fully vaccinated against influenza during the 2006-07season. The influenza vaccination rate in adults 65 years and over was 66.7percent during the 2006-07 season, a figure well below the national targetsfor immunization rates set by the U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices' Healthy People 2010. The expanded influenza vaccine recommendationsfor our nation's children increase the number of children targeted for annualvaccination by roughly 30 million. Providers and programs should continue tofocus vaccination efforts on children and adolescents at higher risk forinfluenza complications as they transition to routinely vaccinating allchildren and adolescents.

"It's a fact that the influenza vaccine saves lives by not only helping toprevent flu but also by preventing the serious complications that sometimesresult from infection with influenza," said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding."I want everyone that's recommended to get a vaccine to get one and for themto encourage their loved ones to get one too."

Among respondents to a new NFID survey, 70 percent said they would be verylikely to get vaccinated against influenza if their health care professionalrecommended it to them, but many physicians do not discuss the importance ofprotection against influenza with their patients. "Patients rely on theinformation and recommendations they receive from their health careprofessionals," said Dr. William Schaffner, President-elect of NFID andProfessor and Chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at VanderbiltUniversity School of Medicine. "Communication between patients and physiciansabout influenza and vaccination can lead to better outcomes. These kinds ofdiscussions should be standard practice."

While adding school-age children to those recommended for immunizationagainst influenza, CDC has not changed the other population groups recommendedfor vaccination. Among those groups are people 50 years of age and over;people with certain chronic medical conditions; pregnant women; youngchildren, and anyone in close contact with infants or other at-risk persons,including caretakers, family members and health care professionals. Inaddition, the agency recommends vaccination for anyone wanting to avoidbecoming sick from influenza or passing it on to others.(i)

Vaccination Is Safe and Protects School-Age Children

The expanded recommendation is based on evidence that influenzavaccination is effective and safe for school-age children, and that influenzaillness significantly impacts school absenteeism, increases antibiotic use,and leads to more medical care visits and parental work loss.

While the majority of influenza-related deaths occur in elderly persons,deaths have occurred in individuals of every age and health status. Eighty-sixdeaths in children were reported to CDC from the 2007-08 influenza season."The death of even a single child from influenza is a tragedy that leaves itsmark on the entire community, and it is especially tragic because influenzainfection is generally preventable." said Dr. Renee R. Jenkins, President ofthe American Academy of Pediatrics.

Reformulated Vaccine Expected to Provide Protection

For the upcoming season, based on data from the extensive global WorldHealth Organization (WHO) influenza surveillance system, health officialsdecided to update all three viral strains in the influenza vaccine. CDCcollaborates with WHO to track influenza viruses around the globe throughoutthe year. This surveillance network includes 121 additional collaboratinglaboratories in 94 countries.

"We are optimistic that this year's vaccine will be on target inprotecting against the flu," said Dr. Daniel B. Jernigan, Deputy Director ofthe Influenza Division of the National Center for Immunization and RespiratoryDiseases at the CDC. "The influenza vaccine offers the best protection againstinfection, reduces disease severity and the spread of the virus to others."

NFID Survey Shows Physician Recommendation Is a Strong Factor in InfluenzaImmunization Outcomes

Nearly 80 percent of all respondents in a consumer survey of 2,029 adultssay they have obtained an influenza vaccine at least once following arecommendation from a health care professional (HCP). While the importance ofHCP recommendations is evident, nearly four in 10 respondents (38 percent)reported never having discussed influenza vaccination with their HCP. Of thosewho did talk to their HCP, half said that they initiated the discussionthemselves. Among people 65 and older, a high-risk category for influenza-related complications and death, nearly 1 in 5 (18 percent) reported neverhaving discussed influenza vaccination with their HCP. Among people aged 50 to64, another group recommended for vaccination every year, the rate climbed to31 percent.

"Physicians, and other health care professionals, play a critical role inhelping patients make the best health care decisions, and our patients need tohear from us about the importance of the flu vaccine," said Dr. Ardis D.Hoven, who serves on the board of trustees for the American MedicalAssociation. "A health care worker's recommendation is one of the strongestfactors influencing patients to get vaccinated. In fact, 70 percent of alladults are immunized as a result. Health care workers are also the front linein the yearly battle against the flu and must themselves remember that gettingvaccinated protects the health of patients and provides added protection fortheir loved ones. Only 42 percent of healthcare professionals receivedinfluenza vaccine in 2006."

Prevention and Well Being for Americans 50 and Over

"Americans are living longer, more active lives and managing increasingresponsibilities at home and work," said Dr. Cora L. Christian, who serves onthe board of directors for AARP. "A renewed emphasis on prevention isparticularly important to ensure that we remain healthy as we get older," sheadded. "Quality preventive care includes immunization against influenza andpneumococcal disease."

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for every American 50 andover, but large immunization differences exist between people 50 to 64 andthose 65 and over. While 66.7 percent of people 65 and over were vaccinatedagainst influenza last season, far fewer were in the 50 to 64 age range(36.2 percent).

According to Christian, "The message is not getting out to those in the50-plus category the way we want it to. In the NFID survey, more than 30percent of people 50 to 64 years of age said they have never had aconversation with their health care professional about getting an influenzavaccine. Many myths exist about influenza vaccination but the evidence isclear -- vaccines, regardless of age, offer the best method to preventdisease."

Pneumococcal Vaccination Reduces Vaccine-Preventable Hospitalizations andDeath

In addition to annual influenza immunization, the assembled experts urgedall Americans 65 years of age and over to be vaccinated against pneumococcaldisease, a leading cause of serious illness in children and adults worldwide."Pneumococcal infection can cause pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis -- allconditions that can lead to severe illness and even death. People 65 and over,and those with chronic medical conditions, can't fight this illness off theway a healthy younger adult can. Vaccine helps them avoid infection or it canreduce the severity of infection," said Dr. Kristin L. Nichol, Associate Chiefof Staff for Research at Minneapolis VA Medical Center. However, in 2007, only57.7% of Americans 65 years and older had ever received a pneumococcalvaccination.

According to CDC there were more than 40,000 U.S. cases of invasivepneumococcal disease in 2006, causing 4,500 deaths.(ii)

In addition to everyone 65 and older, pneumococcal vaccination isrecommended for younger people with certain chronic illnesses, like pulmonaryor cardiovascular disease. There is also a second type of pneumococcal vaccinerecommended as part of the routine childhood immunization schedule for allchildren younger than 2 years of age.(iii)

Government Health Insurers Encourage Providers to Immunize

"More than 30 percent of Americans receiving Medicare do not getvaccinated for influenza, and rates are similar for the pneumococcal vaccine,"said Kerry Weems, Acting Administrator of Centers for Medicare and MedicaidServices. "Given that people 65 and older are at greatest risk from seriouscomplications from the flu, it's especially crucial that Medicare recipientsknow the vaccines are available to them at no cost, and we encourage them tobe proactive about getting them," he said.

Medicare pays for both vaccinations for all its beneficiaries. Vaccine andadministration by recognized providers are completely covered under Medicare.Patients do not have to meet their deductibles in order to receive thesebenefits, nor are they required to make any co-payments.(iv)

Medicare reimbursement for the flu shot in the coming year will increasealmost 5 percent to $18.20 for the preservative-free version, and a littleover 1 percent, to $22.32 for the nasal spray. Medicare will also pay$16.88 -- almost 5 percent more than last year -- for the preservative-freeflu shot for children.

Next year, Medicare will pay $32.70-10 percent more -- for each dose ofthe pneumonia vaccine. The 2008 national average administration fee for thesevaccinations is $20.57. The fee amount for 2009 is not yet available.

Antivirals Provide a Second Line of Defense against Influenza Transmission

Experts also noted that prescription antiviral medications can offerimportant protection against influenza. If taken for treatment within 48 hoursof symptom onset, these medications can reduce influenza symptoms and shortenthe duration of illness.

Antiviral medications can also be used as a preventive measure for thosewho have been exposed to influenza or are at high risk for complications ifthey were to become infected. Prophylactic use of antivirals can help containthe spread of influenza in crowded settings like nursing homes, schools,households or the workplace. Antivirals can also be used in patients whocannot be vaccinated against flu because of severe (i.e., anaphylactic) eggallergies.

For the 2008-2009 influenza season, CDC recommends the use of twoantiviral drugs, oseltamivir or zanamivir, for treatment and prevention ofinfluenza. Two other antiviral medications, amantadine and rimantadine, arenot currently recommended by CDC due to high levels of influenza virusresistance.(v)

Trends Show Vaccination Rates Drop Drastically by Mid-December, butVaccination Is Beneficial throughout the Season

Optimally, those seeking vaccination should get the vaccine before fluviruses start causing illnesses. However, vaccination efforts should continueinto December, January and beyond since flu season most often peaks inJanuary, February or later. Most adults acquire antibody protection againstthe virus about 2 weeks after vaccination.(vi)

Data published this year in a supplement to The American Journal ofMedicine indicate that as many as 25 million patients at high risk for seriousinfluenza-related illness visit their health care professionals an average of2.2 times each during the time when influenza vaccination is appropriate, yetthey still do not receive the influenza vaccination.(vii)

"We have millions of at-risk persons accessing the medical system multipletimes throughout the immunization season," said Schaffner. "With ample supplyon hand throughout the winter months, it is imperative that health careprofessionals use all of those opportunities to get their patientsvaccinated."

About the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is a non-profit,tax-exempt (501c3) organization founded in 1973 and dedicated to educating thepublic and health care professionals about the causes, treatment andprevention of infectious diseases.

About the National Influenza Vaccine Summit

The National Influenza Vaccine Summit, co-sponsored by CDC and the AMA, isa group of more than 400 members representing 130 organizations, including:professional medical and public health organizations, advocacy groups,pharmacists, vaccine manufacturers and distributors, payers, representativesfrom hospitals and long term care facilities, health care providers and otherinfluenza vaccine stakeholders. The Summit's goal is to address, discuss andhelp to resolve influenza vaccine issues and to increase utilization ofvaccine in accordance with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practicesrecommendations.

This news conference is sponsored by the National Foundation forInfectious Diseases (NFID) in partnership with the National Influenza VaccineSummit and is supported, in part, by the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention, and through unrestricted educational grants to NFID from theCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CSL Biotherapies, Inc., Flu VaccineBusiness Practices Initiative (c/o HIDA), GlaxoSmithKline, Henry Schein, Inc.,MedImmune Inc., Merck and Co., Inc., Novartis Vaccines, Roche, and sanofipasteur.

(i) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention and Control ofInfluenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices(ACIP). MMWR 2008; 57 (RR-7). Available at:http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5707.pdf.

(ii) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Active Bacterial CoreSurveillance Report, Emerging Infections Program Network, Streptococcuspneumoniae. Unpublished data, 2007.

(iii) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1997. Prevention ofPneumococcal Disease: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee onImmunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR, April 4, 1997; 46 (RR-8): 1-25. Availableat: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00047135.htm.

(iv) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Adult ImmunizationsOverview. Available at www.cms.hhs.gov/AdultImmunizations/.

(v) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention and Control ofInfluenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices(ACIP). MMWR 2008; 57 (RR-7). Available at:http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5707.pdf.

(vi) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention and Control ofInfluenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices(ACIP). MMWR 2008; 57 (RR-7). Available at:http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5707.pdf.

(vii) Supplement to The American Journal of Medicine: Expanding theInfluenza Vaccination Season: A New Paradigm for Increasing ImmunizationRates. Ed Dr. William Schaffner July 2008, Vol. 121, Number 7B.

Media Contact: Jennifer Corrigan jenn.corrigan@comcast.net 732-382-8898 (cell)SOURCE National Foundation for Infectious Diseases