Influenza virus infection produces an acute febrile infection of the respiratory tract that is characterized by an abrupt onset, headache, malaise, and a dry nonproductive cough.1,2 While it has been 3 decades since the last influenza pandemic, influenza continues to cause significant morbidity and even mortality in both normal and high-risk children.2-6 Influenza attack rates in previously healthy children have been estimated at 10% to 48% each year, with approximately 1% of these infections resulting in hospitalization.5 Excess rates of hospitalization and pulmonary complications have been documented for children with influenza who have sickle-cell disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, malignancies, diabetes, and chronic renal disease.5-8 To reduce the likelihood of influenza infection and concomitant morbidity, the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee has recommended yearly influenza immunization for high-risk pediatric patients since the early 1980s.9 With the realization that health care providers serve as an