Getting Involved to “Spread the Word, Not the Flu”!

Agenda

Overview of the Program

Program Success (from parents, teachers and Weekly Reader)

How You Can Participate

Review of Program Materials

Next Steps

Question & Answer Sessions

Summary

What is Spread the Word – NOT the Flu!

A school-based educational program about the importance of influenza prevention through vaccination

Awarded the National Influenza Vaccine Summit Immunization Excellence Award

Program, developed by Novartis Vaccines and Weekly Reader Corporation Custom Publishing, is customizable for health departments

How Does the STWNTF Program Work?

Offers the opportunity to disseminate information about your vaccination clinics to families with school-aged children in your area

• Weekly Reader regularly provides teachers across the country with curriculum-based educational materials

Includes classroom lesson plans, wall posters and engaging student activities about the importance of influenza prevention

Extends to families via the take-home materials including the letter with vaccination clinic information as well as tools and tips about preventing influenza at home and in school

Parents and children attend

vaccination clinic Enroll for

STWNTF

STWNTF customized

to health department

Customized STWNTF program

distributed to local schools

Teachers conduct lesson

plan and provide materials to

parents

1

2

3

4

5

The Program Proved Successful…

Nearly 600 educators proactively thanked Weekly Reader for providing materials to easily engage their students in learning about a serious health condition.

This is more than double the

average response rate of

similar Weekly Reader programs

Students and teachers found value in theCDC award winning pilot program

“Great timing. This made it easy to talk to the students and get the message to the parents about not spreading germs.” (Suzy Post, Teachers Hands

Academy, FL)

“Wonderful program!! I used it in my classes and sent home info to parents.

Thank you!!”(Frank Hackbarth, Marysville, WA)

“Great program. Very exciting! Nice to have ready-made materials”

(Carol Chalk, Cedar Fork ES, NC)

According to Alicia Curtis of Barber Middle School,

GA, 1,000 students in her school are using the

STWNTF materials

“I want to tell people not to spread the flu and how not to get it.” (Aimee Duncan, Ormond Beach Elementary, Grade 4, FL)

“Not only is it imperative to get vaccinated for influenza, but also it is important to lead an overall healthy life.”(Hannah Barkey, Grade 8, Steamboat Springs Middle School (M.S.) CO)

Why This is Program is Important

New Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations now target all children from 6 months to 18 years of age

• Increase of 30 million children from last year

Last influenza season: 52 out of 72 children* who contracted influenza and died of influenza and its complications, were not vaccinated

Influenza causes children to miss approximately 38 million school days in the US annually

For every three school days that are missed by a child with influenza, a parent misses almost one workday, which may result in lost productivity

*Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Media Briefing: Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness, April 17, 2008

How Can This Program Benefit You?

Supports the ACIP expanded recommendations by educating students and motivating their families

to get vaccinated against influenza

Drives students and their families to your influenza vaccination clinics and local healthcare providers

Increases influenza vaccination rates andSpreads the Word about the need for annual influenza vaccination

Showcases your commitment to influenza prevention within the community

Enrollment FormSubmission Deadline: Friday, July 18, 2008

Timeline and Next Steps

May Jun DecJul Aug Sep Oct Nov

Influenza Clinics

Materials Distributed to

SchoolsEnroll in Program

Development of Customized Materials

Spread The Word – Not The Flu! Sample Educational Packet

Materials Envelope

12 | Spread the Word – NOT the Flu! | May 2008 | Business Use Only

Teacher Guide for Lessons

13 | Spread the Word – NOT the Flu! | May 2008 | Business Use Only

Lesson Plan Continued

14 | Spread the Word – NOT the Flu! | May 2008 | Business Use Only

Poster for Classroom, Nurses Office, Hallways, etc.

Bilingual Parent Take Home Letter

16 | Spread the Word – NOT the Flu! | May 2008 | Business Use Only

Activity One: Grades 3-5

Activity Two: Grades 3-5

Activity Three: Grades 3-5

Activity One: Grades 6-8

Activity Two: Grades 6-8

Activity Three: Grades 6-8

Weekly Reader Program Evaluation Form

Question & Answer Session

In Summary…Take Action Now to be part of an innovative school age program

Send your enrollment form before the deadline (July 18th) to be eligible for participation in this program

Novartis Vaccines will contact you at a later date for your influenza vaccination clinic information

Children will become the influenza ambassadors within their households and drive immunization awareness, as well as encourage their family to take action by getting vaccinated at your health clinics or their healthcare provider

Novartis Vaccines will have additional in-season Fluvirin supply if incremental doses are needed