COCA Call: 2017-2018 Flu Season Recommendations for Children

Credit CDC

Correction:  I misread the date, this event was held yesterday.  The archive should be posted in a couple of days.

#12,887

Tomorrow  Yesterday afternoon the CDC held a new COCA (Clinician Outreach Communication Activity) call which provides critical information on this year's flu season, with an emphasis on flu prevention and treatment for children.  

Primarily of interest to clinicians and health care providers, COCA calls are designed to ensure that practitioners have up-to-date information for their practices. They can, however, provide important insights to other groups as well.

While live attendance of this webinar will be limited, the archived presentation will be posted on the COCA site within a few days.

What’s New for the 2017-2018 Flu Season: Recommendations for Children 
 
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Time: 2:00-3:00 pm (Eastern Time)

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/712924341

Or iPhone one-tap :US: +16699006833,,712924341#  or +16465588656,,712924341#
Or Telephone： Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location)： US: +1 669 900 6833  or +1 646 558 8656

International numbers available: https://zoom.us/zoomconference?m=a_j8rwJQfhM8rlOU6HA1KDaypdVGepOG
Webinar ID: 712 924 341

The recordings (audio, slides, and transcript) for this call will be posted on the webpage a few days after the COCA Call.

Overview

Influenza remains a serious threat to child morbidity and mortality. More than 100 flu-associated deaths in children during the 2016–2017 influenza season were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Clinicians play a critical role in taking action to immunize children, children’s family members, caregivers, and themselves. The early use of antiviral drugs in children can reduce the duration of symptoms, and prevent serious complications of influenza. However, immunization remains the most effective way to prevent influenza illness and its complications.

During this COCA call, subject matter experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and CDC will highlight critical information about this year’s flu season, and discuss strategies primary care providers and medical subspecialists can use to improve flu prevention and control in children.

   At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to accomplish the following:

• Describe what strains of flu virus are predicted to circulate in the 2017–2018 season.
• Identify key recommendations in the AAP influenza policy statement, “Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2017–2018”.
• List recommendations regarding antiviral use in children.
• Discuss vaccine effectiveness and clarify recommendations for the 2017–2018 season, including those related to the live attenuated influenza vaccine.