Children with Asthma and Influenza
Practice Models for Improving Influenza Immunization Rates Among Children with Asthma

Asthma is the most common chronic medical condition among children in the U.S., affecting more than six million children younger than 18 years of age.

Despite longstanding recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other major organizations, including the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), influenza vaccination rates among children with asthma remain seriously low. Children with chronic medical conditions, including asthma, are at an increased risk for influenza-related complications (e.g., increased outpatient visits and antibiotic prescriptions).

This program will highlight scientific data demonstrating the impact of influenza in children with asthma. According to the CDC, vaccination is the primary and most effective way to prevent influenza and its serious complications. Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNP), nurse practitioners (NP) and nurses will be provided with methods they can employ in their practice to increase influenza immunization rates among the pediatric population they serve.

PNPs, NPs and nurses are key influencers in pediatric practices and are often responsible for educating patients and their parents about the importance of immunization and organizing in-practice vaccination programs. While providers agree on the severity of influenza among children with asthma, many practices do not have an infrastructure in place to help identify, recall and immunize these children annually.

The CE program will feature several strategies and models implemented in a variety of practice settings that have been successful in maximizing pediatric asthma influenza immunization rates. It is designed to help PNPs, NPs and nurses have a significant positive impact on influenza vaccination rates among their pediatric patients, particularly for those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma.