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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Influenza vaccination is the primary method for 
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preventing influenza and its severe complications; and

 
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    WHEREAS, According to the Advisory Committee on 
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Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the U.S. Centers for Disease 
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Control and Prevention (CDC), adults age 65 and older and 
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children age 6 to 59 months are the most at risk for 
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influenza-related complications; and

 
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    WHEREAS, While estimated rates of influenza-associated 
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hospitalizations have varied substantially by age group in 
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studies conducted during different influenza epidemics, the 
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hospitalization rates are highest among children age one and 
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younger and are comparable to rates reported among persons age 
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65 and over; and

 
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    WHEREAS, According to the ACIP, the primary option for 
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reducing the effect of influenza is the influenza vaccine and 
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that vaccinating persons at high risk is the most effective 
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means of reducing the effect of influenza; and

 
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    WHEREAS, While vaccination coverage for at-risk adults can 
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be increased by administering vaccines to persons during 
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hospitalizations, routine health care visits,  or at nursing 
 


 






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homes, there is no reliable immunization treatment for children 
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other than parental vigilance and day care intervention; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The education of parents, day care 
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administrators, and physicians as to the importance of 
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immunizing children in the at-risk age group is an important 
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public policy endeavor for the State of Illinois; therefore, be 
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it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
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SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the Department of Public 
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Health to develop a program to educate parents, day care 
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administrators, and physicians about the health benefits of 
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influenza immunization for children age 6 months to 59 months; 
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and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That in effectuating this educational program, 
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the Department of Public Health work closely with the 
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Department of Children and Family Services in sharing its 
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website information, printed materials, or any other 
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informational material reflecting the immunization 
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recommendations made available by the ACIP and the CDC; and be 
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it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the 
 


 






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Director of Public Health and the Director of Children and 
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Family Services.