Combining Entertainment & Influenza Education for Pediatric Patients

Each year, during the fall and winter, coinciding with the influenza season, the number of
health care visits and the number of days missed from school increases due to febrile
respiratory illnesses. The highest rates of influenza infections are present amongst
school-age children. The vaccination against seasonal influenza remains the most important
measure to prevent infection and to combat the overall spread of the virus. School-age
children, in particular, adolescents, may not be aware of the need for influenza vaccination.

Interactive computerized educational programs have been developed and used in different
pediatric settings in an attempt to increase children's understanding of their medical
condition, and improve adherence to the treatment.

The investigators identified one of our satellite pediatric clinics, as being the perfect
venue for an intervention that will attempt to increase influenza vaccination. The clinic is
located in an underserved area. More than 9,000 children are seen annually in this clinic
with about 20% of the patients age 8 and above. A pediatric pulmonary office, part of the
pediatric clinic, serves a high number of patients, most of whom have poorly controlled
asthma.

Currently, no focused, developmentally appropriate education programs regarding vaccination
are used in our outpatient clinics.

The investigators propose implementing an influenza vaccination educational program in this
pediatric satellite office that serves a population that has historical low rates of
influenza vaccination.

The investigators have developed an influenza-vaccination-education-study-program that will
involve the use of an animated influenza vaccine-based computer program (videogame) that is
designed from the investigator's own initiative. This videogame should provide a basis or
foundation to discuss the need for influenza vaccination and the adverse effects of influenza
disease. It will be designed to intrigue the child by providing animated tours and creative
experiences that are designed to encourage behavioral changes towards the need for
vaccination.

The investigators hypothesis that by using this hybrid entertainment-educational tool, we
will increase children's knowledge about influenza disease and the need for influenza
vaccination. By using this age appropriate intervention, we aim to decrease children and
adolescent's anxiety related to the vaccination and to increase vaccination rates. The
investigators hypothesis that our intervention will have a high impact since it is geared to
an ethnic community with historically low rates of influenza vaccination.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Children 8 years of age and older

Exclusion Criteria:

- Anyone who does not voluntarily give consent or assent to this study.