CDC recommends seasonal influenza vaccination to counter H1N1

Public health experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommend seasonal influenza vaccination as the first line of defense this year in protecting against the influenza virus.

The American Lung Association of the Central States is kicking off its 2009-2010 Faces of Influenza initiative in Kansas City and is supporting local public health efforts to get Greater Kansas City Metro area residents vaccinated against seasonal influenza as soon as possible. Today, the area's ten local public health agencies are coordinating region-wide influenza vaccination clinics to provide residents with the opportunity to protect themselves, and their families, friends and loved ones against the seasonal flu. More information about these flu clinics can be found at www.preparemetrokc.org.

"Everyone, from children to adults, is encouraged to get a seasonal flu shot," Independence Health Director Larry Jones said. "This will help reduce the incidence of illness from the flu in the communities throughout the metro area. It will provide protection from a disease that causes more than 36,000 deaths annually in the United States."

Michael K. Shafe, MD FACEP, Medical Director of the Urgency Room, also is partnering with the American Lung Association of the Central States' Faces of Influenza campaign to let community residents know that vaccination is the best protection available against the disease.

"Seasonal influenza vaccine is now available and I encourage Kansas City area residents to take this opportunity to get vaccinated now so they can protect themselves against the flu virus," said Dr. Shafe. "Seasonal influenza remains a serious concern, even with the presence of the 2009 A(H1N1) virus."

The recent A(H1N1) virus outbreak is a strong reminder that influenza is not the common cold. It's a serious respiratory illness that causes 36,000 deaths and 226,000 hospitalizations each year.

The American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza campaign encourages local residents to see themselves and their loved ones among the many "faces" of influenza - people who fall into one or more target groups recommended for annual vaccination by the CDC.

Immunization Rates Remain Low

Despite recommendations by health experts that more than four out of five Americans should be vaccinated against seasonal influenza annually, fewer than half actually do.

On average, an estimated 98,300 to 393,400 Greater Kansas City Metro area residents will suffer from seasonal influenza, yet immunization rates fall short each year.

Chances Are, We All Know Many "Faces" of Influenza

The Faces of Influenza campaign, which includes expanded awareness initiatives nationally and in many major cities, including Kansas City, supports the CDC's call for Americans to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza this and every year.

Celebrities, health officials and everyday people have joined the Faces of Influenza campaign, sharing personal stories about their experiences with the disease and encouraging influenza vaccination among recommended groups.

The Lung Association is working with families across the country who lost loved ones to influenza. These families, as well as others involved in the program, have joined the Faces of Influenza campaign to help others avoid the tragedies they experienced.

On a national level, Olympic Gold Medalist figure skater, "Dancing with the Stars" winner and mother Kristi Yamaguchi is the spokesperson for the Faces of Influenza campaign. Other celebrity "faces" featured include: actor Dean Cain, who played Superman on ABC's "Lois and Clark;" Dr. Joyce Brothers, well-known psychologist and advice columnist; Joy Behar, comedian and co-host of ABC's "The View;" and Olympic Gold Medalist Vonetta Flowers.

Faces of Influenza Awareness Activities

The Faces of Influenza initiative also includes educational materials for consumers and health care providers, as well as the national distribution of television and radio public service announcements featuring Kristi Yamaguchi and the high-risk groups recommended for seasonal influenza immunization. The Lung Association has developed a Web site, www.facesofinfluenza.org, where consumers and health care providers can find more information about influenza and the importance of immunization. Visitors to the site can also view the photographs and stories featured in the Faces of Influenza Portrait Gallery, view the public service campaign and utilize the Lung Association's Flu Clinic Locator, www.flucliniclocator.org, an online database designed to help patients find local vaccination clinics throughout the influenza season.

Source: http://www.facesofinfluenza.org