Influenza Web-based Dialogue

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NACCHO will host a series of Web-based influenza dialogues for the 2007 – 2008 influenza prevention season that will enable local health departments (LHDs) to share information with the larger public health community and each other.

These dialogues will raise awareness of local seasonal influenza challenges, offer information and resources, and will enable LHDs to provide concrete input into the dialogue of influenza disease, influenza vaccine supply and distribution, epidemiology, and local data needs.

The Web-based structure of the dialogues will allow diverse voices from a cross-section of LHDs to contribute to these important discussions without having to commit to a specific date and time for a conference call or Webinar. The dialogues will explore all aspects of the influenza season and will address specifically:

1. LHD experiences with influenza vaccine supply and distribution;
2. Local experiences with influenza disease and outbreaks;
3. Innovative local efforts to vaccinate hard-to-reach, high-priority populations in high-priority settings;
4. Interaction with state and federal public health partners; and
5. Local activities during National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW).

Each session will be introduced by a real-time synchronous Web conference that will feature updates from participants and select presenters.  At the heart of the dialogues are the daily Web-based deliberations on the particular influenza-related topic (e.g., influenza disease epidemiology) and how locals are responding to it. For each discussion topic, a panel of experts will be available. The digital library includes extensive, searchable, and downloadable background information. A summary of each dialogue will capture main discussion points, questions, and concerns. Periodic polls will capture and characterize viewpoints of participants and may aid in the development of consensus positions.

Your active participation in these Web dialogues is critical in order to broaden and increase the local voice in and awareness of all issues related to influenza control and prevention. The dialogues have the potential to be an important part of the decision-making processes at the state and federal levels regarding influenza control, prevention, and vaccination.

Please share this announcement with other local health departments. The dialogue Web site is public, but the target audience is LHD practitioners. To learn more and to register, please visit www.webdialogues.net/naccho/seasonalflu.