Flu Fighters

Episode 3: The Science of Influenza and Flu Vaccines

In the third episode of Flu Fighters, Comagine Health are joined by Julia Bennett, Ph.D student in epidemiology at the University of Washington School of Public Health. Julia is studying the impact of vaccines for respiratory illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19 and RSV. This insightful discussion highlights the science behind the flu and the many ways the flu vaccine protects us and our communities. Flu Fighters is a deep dive into influenza and the many ways vaccination can help protect us and our loved ones from severe disease. Join Comagine Health staff as they interview public health experts who answer common questions about the flu and vaccination best practices. According to the CDC, roughly eight percent of Americans get sick from the flu every year. This is a virus that impacts everyone — especially people aged 65 and older. This educational podcast equips listeners with the knowledge they need to protect themselves during cold and flu season. Comagine Health is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Improvement Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) for Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Washington. As an organization, we are committed to promoting the best health practices to achieve the best health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries across our six-state region. We are a national, nonprofit, health care consulting firm, working collaboratively with patients, providers, payers and other stakeholders to reimagine, redesign and implement sustainable improvements in the health care system. As a trusted, neutral party, we work in our communities to address key, complex health and health care delivery problems. In all our engagements and initiatives, we draw upon our expertise in quality improvement, care management, health information technology, analytics and research. We invite our partners and communities to work with us to improve health and redesign the health care delivery system. This material was prepared by Comagine Health, a Medicare Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. 12SOW-GEN-22-QIN-156

Episode 2: A Pharmacist's Perspective on Flu Vaccination

In the second episode of the Flu Fighters, Comagine Health staff speak with Amy Bachyryz, a pharmacist with a large community pharmacy in New Mexico. Amy provides insights into why flu vaccination is important for community health from a pharmacist's perspective. Flu Fighters is a deep dive into influenza and the many ways vaccination can help protect us and our loved ones from severe disease. Join Comagine Health staff as they interview public health experts who answer common questions about the flu and vaccination best practices. According to the CDC, roughly eight percent of Americans get sick from the flu every year. This is a virus that impacts everyone — especially people aged 65 and older. This educational podcast equips listeners with the knowledge they need to protect themselves during cold and flu season. Comagine Health is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Improvement Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) for Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Washington. As an organization, we are committed to promoting the best health practices to achieve the best health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries across our six-state region. We are a national, nonprofit, health care consulting firm, working collaboratively with patients, providers, payers and other stakeholders to reimagine, redesign and implement sustainable improvements in the health care system. As a trusted, neutral party, we work in our communities to address key, complex health and health care delivery problems. In all our engagements and initiatives, we draw upon our expertise in quality improvement, care management, health information technology, analytics and research. We invite our partners and communities to work with us to improve health and redesign the health care delivery system. This material was prepared by Comagine Health, a Medicare Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. 12SOW-GEN-22-QIN-156

Episode 1: Doctor and Patient Perspectives on the Flu Vaccine

In the first episode of the Flu Fighters, Comagine Health staff speak with Dr. Melissa Martinez, a Family Medicine physician from the University of New Mexico, as well as Jan Lambert, a member of the Comagine Health Patient and Family Advisory Council. These conversations explore the flu vaccine through both a doctor and patient perspective. Flu Fighters is a deep dive into influenza and the many ways vaccination can help protect us and our loved ones from severe disease. Join Comagine Health staff as they interview public health experts who answer common questions about the flu and vaccination best practices. According to the CDC, roughly eight percent of Americans get sick from the flu every year. This is a virus that impacts everyone — especially people aged 65 and older. This educational podcast equips listeners with the knowledge they need to protect themselves during cold and flu season. Comagine Health is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Improvement Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) for Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Washington. As an organization, we are committed to promoting the best health practices to achieve the best health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries across our six-state region. We are a national, nonprofit, health care consulting firm, working collaboratively with patients, providers, payers and other stakeholders to reimagine, redesign and implement sustainable improvements in the health care system. As a trusted, neutral party, we work in our communities to address key, complex health and health care delivery problems. In all our engagements and initiatives, we draw upon our expertise in quality improvement, care management, health information technology, analytics and research. We invite our partners and communities to work with us to improve health and redesign the health care delivery system. This material was prepared by Comagine Health, a Medicare Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. 12SOW-GEN-22-QIN-156