The National Influenza Vaccine Summit (NIVS) recently finished a complete redesign of the homepage of its website, (www.preventinfluenza.org). The homepage now offers a more user-friendly and attractive display of the website's four major sections.

(1) For patients
Refer patients to this section to find information on locating an influenza clinic, learning the benefits of influenza vaccination, and finding links to useful sources of influenza information.

To access materials for patients, go to:
http://www.preventinfluenza.org/patients.asp

(2) For healthcare professionals
Here, healthcare professionals can learn about the production and distribution of influenza vaccine; influenza disease, including current activity; current vaccination recommendations; statements from major healthcare organizations about the importance of vaccinating healthcare professionals; and tools to help with administering vaccine.

To access materials for professionals, go to:
http://www.preventinfluenza.org/professionals.asp

(3) About the National Influenza Vaccine Summit (NIVS)
At this section, interested people can learn about and view presentations from the Summit's meetings, read newsletters distributed to Summit members, and find information about award-winning programs that have increased influenza immunization rates.

To access NIVS materials, go to:
http://www.preventinfluenza.org/nivs.asp

(4) News and media
This is a source for influenza-related news stories, public service announcements, and press releases.

To access news and media materials, go to:
http://www.preventinfluenza.org/media.asp

As an added feature, the website's newly redesigned homepage offers users access to a scrolling display of miscellaneous items such influenza-related videos and links to influenza advocacy materials and organizations. The new configuration makes it simple for most users to gain access to all parts of the website on their computer monitors, without printing or reading multiple pages.

Visit the NIVS homepage often at http://www.preventinfluenza.org

Families Fighting Flu, in partnership with CDC, is bringing attention to the critical need to get children vaccinated against influenza by designating November 27 (the second day of National Influenza Vaccination Week) as Children's Flu Vaccination Day. Portions of a press release issued by Families Fighting Flu are reprinted below.

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) recently launched an innovative campaign to increase influenza immunization rates among healthcare professionals. Currently, only about one-third (34 percent) of professionals receive influenza vaccine.

Termed GIVe (the acronym for Get Influenza Vaccine every year), the campaign urges health professionals to "take the pledge" and commit to protect themselves and their patients by getting vaccinated annually. The campaign includes a flyer of influenza myths and facts, an online pledge that healthcare professionals can email to their co-workers, and a press release explaining the campaign.

To learn more about the campaign and to access the materials, go to: http://www.nfid.org/GIVe

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) has launched a new multimedia initiative, "Talk Flu To Me," to increase awareness of the severity of influenza and the benefits of annual influenza vaccination. The multimedia resources include public service announcements (PSAs) in English and Spanish. NFID created a new website, www.TalkFluToMe.org, to make the PSAs and additional influenza educational resources available to healthcare professionals, the public, and the media.

NFID's campaign also focuses attention on influenza and at-risk populations, including children, adults age 50 years and older, and adults and children with diabetes.

To access NFID's ready-to-use resources for improving annual influenza vaccination among people at high risk for influenza and its complications, go to: http://www.talkflutome.org/population

To access all of the influenza initiative resources for patients, parents, and healthcare professionals, go to:
http://www.talkflutome.org/healthcare

CDC'S Flu Gallery gives healthcare professionals the resources they need to promote influenza vaccination to parents, patients, and communities. These include the following:

• 2007-08 flu season posters
• Parents guide for 2007-08 flu season
• Flu posters from previous seasons
• CDC Influenza Awareness Campaign: Media toolkit
• National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) posters
• NIVW public service announcements (PSAs)
• Seasonal flu podcasts
• Flu prevention ecards

To access these resources, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery Scroll down and click on the pertinent link.