DC Health and Academic Prep Program (DC HAPP)
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Description
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 290,000 to 650,000 people worldwide are affected annually by the flu (WHO, 2023). Children ages 0–17 are more prone to contracting the flu due to increased contact with other individuals in daycare and grade school as they are more likely to put their hands in their mouths and less likely to practice proper hygiene. Additionally, they have less developed immune systems to fight off infections (CDC, 2020). This leads to an increased likelihood of catching an illness that can spread from person to person compared to adults. According to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report by DC Health, 2022–2023, the highest number of cases are being reported in 2023; so far, there have been 3,174 cases for ages 0–24 this flu season (“Influenza Surveillance Dashboard”). Our main goal is to raise awareness by providing education and free resources to address childhood influenza rates and increase the number of vaccinations within the DC metropolitan area. Another factor for the low rates is parental and guardian hesitancy about the Influenza vaccine throughout the nation.
Publication Date
2023
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Public Health
Recommended Citation
Belete, Elyana; Bowie, Evan; Miko, Maria - Carmen; and Weeden, Raymond, "Field Days Against Flu Days: Decreasing Missed School Days in the D.C. Metropolitan Area due to Influenza" (2023). DC Health and Academic Prep Program (DC HAPP). 20.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/dchapp/20
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