American Lung Association kicks off its Faces of Influenza campaign in Miami

The American Lung Association of Florida-South Area is kicking off its 2009-2010 Faces of Influenza initiative by conducting a public influenza panel discussion to help Miami area residents understand the seriousness of seasonal influenza and the importance of annual vaccination. The meeting will address the latest flu statistics and benefits of vaccination, especially among high-risk groups.

The recent A (H1N1) outbreak is a strong reminder that influenza is not the common cold. It's a serious respiratory illness. Each year approximately 226,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 die due to influenza-related complications.

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. 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 119,999 to 475,000 Miami residents will suffer from seasonal influenza, yet immunization rates fall short 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.

American Lung Association of Florida-South Area Hosts Community Panel on Influenza

The meeting will take place on October 2 at Jungle Island, Tree Top Ballroom, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, Fla. at 12:00 p.m. The panel will feature local physicians and community experts from prominent institutions, including the Miami Dade College Medical Center and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Also joining the panel will be David Schwartz, a local "face" of influenza, who believes the best protection against the flu is vaccination. David and his daughter, Leia both live with asthma, and are at high risk for developing complications from influenza.

"Leia's asthma is more severe, so just the thought of getting influenza scares my family because we know how devastating it can be for her health," said David. "Leia's asthma could get worse and she could be hospitalized for weeks. That is why I joined the Faces of Influenza initiative to encourage other families to help protect themselves by getting the flu shot."

Chances Are, We All Know "Faces" of Influenza

The Faces of Influenza campaign, which includes expanded awareness initiatives nationally and in many major cities, including Miami, 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 other families across the country who lost loved ones to influenza. These parents, as well as others involved in the program, have joined the Faces of Influenza campaign to help families 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.