The CDC is taking a tech-based approach to fostering discussion about National Influenza Vaccination Week 2015 by using a handful of Internet-driven information sessions to promote awareness.
NIVW runs from Dec. 6-12. Here is a breakdown of the week's campaigns.
• The week kicks off on Dec. 7 with a social media campaign on Thunderclap, a sharing platform that amplifies a message by encouraging "mass sharing".
• On Dec. 8 from 1-2 p.m. EST, a CDC influenza subject matter expert will take to Twitter @CDCFlu, hosting a live chat open to all participants using #NIVW2015. The CDC has already launched its #VaxWithMe selfie campaign, which encourages tweeters to share pictures of themselves getting vaccinated.
• A two-day radio media tour is also planned for Dec. 10 and 11, in which CDC experts will take to the airwaves to talk everything flu season and vaccine-related.
• Throughout the week, email-based campaign and telebriefing will contain information about flu activity this season so far, early-season vaccination coverage estimates and results from a flu vaccine impact study for 2014-2015.
• During NIVW, the CDC will also launch a Google keyword search and display to raise awareness urging everyone 6 months of age or older to get vaccinated. These messages will link consumers to the CDC's flu website and will appear for all keyword searches related to flu vaccination.