“COVID-19 is here, but so is the flu.”
That is the message of a new downloadable poster available from the Texas Medical Association’s Be Wise – ImmunizeSM program to help you stress the need for flu vaccination, this year more than ever.
The poster, available in English and Spanish, offers five flu facts to support the importance and safety of flu vaccination.
You can print copies to post in your office or other public places, or download copies to share on your social media channels.
Because COVID-19 is expected to continue well into flu season this year, state health officials have urged Texans to get a flu shot as early as possible.
“We want to urge everyone to understand the importance of getting ahead of the curve of by making sure you do get a flu vaccine,” Gov. Greg Abbott said last month. “With a flu season that could be prolific, if that leads to greater hospitalizations, coupled with COVID-19, you could easily see how hospitals across Texas will be completely overrun.”
In addition, Texas traditionally lags on flu vaccination. In 2018-19, only 43.3% of Texas adults got a flu shot, below the national average of 45.3%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Be Wise - Immunize is a public health initiative of TMA that offers vaccination resources for physicians.
In addition to the poster, Be Wise has several tools to help you educate your patients, staff, and community about flu vaccination:
- Provide flu facts at a glance with TMA’s flu infographics (in English and Spanish).
- Share social media graphics from TMA’s Vaccination Social Media Toolkit.
- Show a physician-hosted flu video in your office or on social media.
- Display this poster to remind your employees to get their flu shot.
To order Be Wise materials, scan and email this form to TMA.
Be Wise – Immunize is a joint initiative led by TMA physicians, medical students, and the TMA Alliance. It is funded in 2020 by the TMA Foundation, thanks to major support from H-E-B and Permian Basin Youth Chavarim.
Be Wise — Immunize is a service mark of the Texas Medical Association.
Tammy Wishard
Account Manager, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1470