Are you at risk?
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Health experts recommend annual influenza vaccination for more than 220 million people in the United States. Despite this recommendation, influenza immunization rates fall far short every year. Approximately one to five million residents in the region of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia will suffer from influenza in an average year.

The American Lung Association (ALA) is conducting a national educational campaign-the Faces of Influenza-as a multi-year public awareness initiative to help put a "face" on this serious disease. The campaign encourages people to recognize annual influenza immunization as an important preventative measure to protect themselves and their loved ones each year. The best way to reduce the effects of influenza is through annual vaccination. Influenza vaccines are safe and effective, yet only 20.6 percent of children recommended for annual immunization in the United States receive their annual vaccination. Only one third of healthcare workers are immunized annually, yet all healthcare workers are recommended for annual immunization.

Are you at risk? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the following people should receive an annual vaccination:

People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, diabetes, and others

Children 6-59 months of age Pregnant women

People 50 years of age and older

Household contacts and caregivers of anyone in a high-risk group, including parents, grandparents, siblings, babysitters, and daycare providers

Residents of long-term care facilities and nursing homes

Health-care personnel

Children 6 months-18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin treatment

Anyone, including school-aged children, who wants to prevent influenza

On a national level, actress and mother Jennifer Garner is the spokesperson for the Faces of Influenza campaign. Other celebrities' "faces" featured are: Olympic Gold Medal figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi; Dr. Joyce Brothers, well-known psychologist and advice columnist; Joy Behar, comedian and co-host of ABC's The View; Olympic Gold Medalist Vonetta Flowers; and actor Peter Gallagher, star of Fox's the OC.

Locally, Dean Cain, who played Superman from the popular TV series Lois and Clark, has joined the Faces of Influenza initiative and urges residents of the Mid-Atlantic region to see themselves among the faces at risk. "Despite serious health risks associated with influenza, many people including people with chronic health problems, young children, and those 50 years of age or older, are not getting immunized," says American Lung Association physician, Albert A. Rizzo, MD. "More than 2 out of 3 Americans should be vaccinated every year, which means it's likely that each one of us knows someone whose well-being, good health, or life depends on getting an influenza immunization each and every year." Vaccination typically begins in October and can continue through March. In most seasons, influenza virus activity peaks in February or March, so vaccination throughout the entire influenza season is beneficial and recommended.

Faces of Influenza awareness activities

The initiative also includes educational materials for consumers and health-care providers, as well as the national distribution of news television and radio public service announcements featuring Jennifer Garner and the high-risk groups recommended for influenza immunization. The Lung Association has developed a website, 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", the largest on-line directory of public influenza clinics.

About the flu clinic locator

In addition to this new campaign, the Lung Association continues to offer its Flu Clinic Locator as a public service. By typing in their 5-digit ZIP code, site visitors can receive a list of immunization clinics in their area. Site visitors may also schedule appointment reminders and sign up to receive seasonal influenza news. The Flu Clinic Locator remains active as long as public influenza immunization clinics are offered.

For more information about the Faces of Influenza educational initiative visit www.facesofinfluenza.org

For more information about the American Lung Association and to support the work that it does, call 800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586- 4872) or log onto www.lungusa.org

The American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza educational initiative is made possible by a collaboration with SanofiPasteur.