Vaccine Week Guidance: The CDC has helpfully assembled some advice on how to explain to your patients that you don't have vaccine to give during National Influenza Vaccination Week:

For patients who express concern about the fact that a vaccination isn't immediately available at the time they contact the provider, the following information and talking points are suggested:

* I appreciate your interest in calling about an influenza vaccination for yourself or your family member.
* Ideally, people should be vaccinated by the end of November, but it is certainly not too late to get the vaccine in December or January in most years.  The flu season typically peaks in February or later, so CDC recommends continuing to vaccinate into December, January, and beyond as needed.
* This is why CDC and other groups are sponsoring National Influenza Vaccination Week during the last week of November, to get out the message that continuing to vaccinate beyond Thanksgiving is important to protect Americans against the flu.
* At this time, I am planning to administer the vaccine ________________(timing and types of vaccination opportunities that are planned)________.