By Diana Herrero, Interim Immunization Section Director, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
What’s the best way to stay healthy this flu season? With a flu shot, of course! The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is always searching for new and creative ways to spread the word about the importance of the flu vaccination. And what better way to make a message go viral than with social media?
CDPHE’s latest tool to improve influenza vaccination rates in Colorado is the “Do Something Easy Flu Vaccine Pledge” Facebook app. It allows Facebook users to pledge to get their flu vaccination this flu season and encourage others to do the same. Once the user has pledged to get vaccinated against the flu, the app allows them to encourage their friends to get vaccinated via Facebook or Twitter.
During last year’s flu season, there were over 1,500 hospitalizations and five pediatric deaths caused by the flu in Colorado. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone over the age of six months receive an annual flu vaccine.
The “Do Something Easy Flu Vaccine Pledge” app can be found on the ImmunizeCO Facebook page. Pledge today!
Visit http://flushot.healthmap.org to find out where you can get vaccinated.