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Increase percentage of children who are vaccinated annually against seasonal influenza

% of Macomb County children 6 months through 17 years receiving 1 dose of flu vaccine

Current Value

23.1%

Q3 2022

Definition

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Story Behind the Curve

Yearly influenza (flu) vaccination is important to help protect children from seasonal flu illness and potential complications.  While the rates of seasonal flu vaccine have fluctuated, the rate of vaccination among children is considered low, including in Macomb County.  The Michigan average for children 6 months - 17 years of age (one dose) is 30.6%.  The national average is 45.6% (as of June 30, 2019).  The Healthy People 2020 goal is a vaccination rate of 70%.  MCHD is working with partners and stakeholders to develop and implement novel strategies to improve seasonal flu vaccination rates in children.

Why Is This Important?

Most people who get the flu have a mild illness. But for some, it can be serious — and even deadly. Serious complications from the flu are more likely in babies and young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with certain long-term health conditions — like diabetes or asthma.

Getting vaccinated every year is the best way to lower your chances of getting the flu. Flu vaccines can’t cause the flu. Keep in mind that getting the flu vaccine also protects the people around you. So when you and your family get vaccinated, you help keep yourselves and your community healthy.

This is especially important if you spend time with people who are at risk for serious illness from the flu — like young children or older adults.

Strategy

In June of 2019 management from MCHD conducted a quality improvement (QI) exercise to assess the potential root causes of why seasonal influenza vaccination rates are very low for children 6 months to 17 years of age.  The team conducted a "5 Whys" root cause analysis.  From this analysis, the team will be implementing three counter measures targeting misconceptions on influenza and related illnesses.  Evaluation from the root cause analysis will be reviewed in the next flu vaccination season.

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