| Release Date: | October 1, 2008 |
| Expiration Date: | September 30, 2009 |
Target Audience:
This activity is intended for physicians and other healthcare professionals who are interested in the diagnosis and treatment of seasonal influenza.
Statement of Need:
Influenza immunization rates in the US only range from 36-70% depending upon the population. While this is the highest level of immunization ever recorded, it is still substantially below the 90% coverage goal set forth by Healthy People 2010. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 36,000 people die and 200,000 people are hospitalized with influenza in an average year. Absent control measures such as vaccination and drugs, a "medium-level" influenza pandemic in the United States could kill 89,000 to 207,000 people. In 2003, the FDA approved the first needle-free option for citizens unable to receive or reluctant to obtain a traditional influenza shot. Among primary care providers, there is considerable confusion about the differences between products and efficacy. Plus, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently expanded its approval for use of one of the antiviral agents to include children between the ages of 2 and 5. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends that all children age 6 months to 19 years be vaccinated against influenza, since children younger than 5 years of age had rates of influenza-associated hospitalizations similar to those among individuals age 50 through 64 years.
Young children and older adults may not mount a robust response to vaccination, and may contract influenza despite having been vaccinated. Whether vaccinated or not, patients who contract influenza are then requesting help limiting the sequela and/or preventing the spread of infection. Clinicians have used the antivirals increasingly to ameliorate the impact of influenza outbreaks. These antiviral prophylactic agents can effectively terminate seasonal influenza outbreaks in closed institutions. Antiviral drugs are likely to be even more important in lessening the impact of influenza transmission in health care institutions during the next influenza pandemic.
Influenza transmission between healthcare workers (HCW) and patients in the hospital setting increases morbidity and mortality, especially among older or immunocompromised patients, populations in which vaccination does not always result in optimal immunity. People who have contact with high-risk individuals, including HCW, are a recognized potential source of influenza, and vaccinating HCW lowers the mortality rate among nursing home patients. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control recommend HCW vaccination, especially if they care for members of high-risk groups. HCW are notoriously non-compliant with vaccinations, due to their erroneous beliefs about vaccine-related adverse reactions. During epidemics, almost a quarter of HCW are apt to present clinical or subclinical influenza infections.
An appropriate recommendation from a primary care provider increases the likelihood of vaccination among patients significantly. For high-risk children, physician recommendation, parental support, and reminders have been proven to be the most important facilitator of influenza immunization.
Educational Objectives:
At the end of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Better differentiate between cough/cold and flu symptoms in all age groups of patients.
- Describe appropriate vaccination options for the 2008-2009 flu season.
- Identify evidence-based options for pharmacologic management of patients with flu.
- Strategize best practice approaches for the overall management of patients during the flu season.
Accreditation Statements:
Physicians
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Creative Educational Concepts, Inc. (CEC) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
This activity has been approved for 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s).TM
Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. |
AAFP
This activity has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 1.5 Prescribed credit(s) by the American Academy of Family Physicians. AAFP accreditation begins October 1, 2008. Term of approval is for one-year from this date, with option for yearly renewal.
Faculty Information and Disclosures:
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Andrew Kroger, MD, MPH Medical Officer Education, Information and Partnership Branch Immunization Services Division National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta, Georgia Andrew Kroger, MD, MPH has indicated that he has nothing to disclose relating to the content of this activity. |
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Doug Campos-Outcalt, MD, MPA Associate Chair University of Arizona College of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine Phoenix, Arizona Doug Campos-Outcalt, MD, MPA has indicated that he is on the speakers' bureau for the Faces of Flu. |
Planners: The planners and managers have no financial or other relationship to products or devices with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity.
Instructions:
To receive a statement of credit, you must:- Review the full content of the activity
- Successfully complete the post-test (70% or higher)
- You will have two (2) opportunities to successfully complete the post-test
Your statement of credit will be issued immediately upon successful completion of the posttest and submission of the evaluation form.
Fee: This activity is complimentary.
Disclosure Declaration: It is the policy of CEC to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in their continuing education activities.
Those involved in the development of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education activity. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, and precautions) and drug delivery systems is subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer's package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.
Fair balance is achieved through ongoing and thorough review of all presentation materials produced by faculty, and all educational and advertising materials produced by supporting organizations, prior to educational offerings. Approval of credit for this continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by CEC of any product or manufacturer identified.
Any medications or treatment methods suggested in this continuing education activity should not be used by the practitioner without evaluation of their patient's condition(s) and possible contraindication(s) or danger(s) of use of any specific medication or device.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure: This activity will not include discussions of products or devices that are not currently approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or that are currently investigational.
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