Influenza biology for chiropractors: Vaccine and pandemic

Chiropractic practitioners, students, and faculty may not fully appreciate the ongoing need for annual influenza vaccination or appreciate the threat pandemic influenza poses. These are current, pressing issues within public health. Immunization can at times be a contentious issue within the chiropractic profession - and a review of research on this theme will be very briefly provided. This presentation will then primarily review the biology of the influenza virus, making it practically relevant to the chiropractic practitioner. Through the presentation, an awareness of the unique characteristics of this virus will be increased in the listener. The argument for annual influenza vaccination in accordance with CDC recommendations will be made. A global update on H5N1 influenza and other potentially pandemic strains will be given. The listener will understand the inevitability of a future influenza pandemic and the need to support public health preparation efforts.