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The American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza campaign aims to reachthe more than two out of every three Americans recommended for annualinfluenza immunization, according to the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC). On average, approximately 36,000 people die and about226,000 are hospitalized due to influenza and its complications in the USevery year. Garner's involvement will especially help reach women who areoften the health-care decision makers for their families.
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"Women play an important role in a family. It's our job to take care ofthose we love, that's why I make sure my family is protected againstinfluenza," said Garner. "Influenza isn't just a cold. It can be much moreserious. Chances are you or someone you know should be immunized."
Garner is working with the American Lung Association to encouragevaccination against influenza throughout the fall and winter months and to puta national "face" on the eighth leading cause of death when combined withpneumonia. As a mother of a young child, Garner is one of the more than 220million "faces" that health officials recommend be vaccinated this and everyyear.
"Despite serious health risks associated with influenza, many people,including people with chronic health problems, young children and those 50years and older, are not getting immunized," said Norman Edelman, MD, ChiefMedical Officer of the American Lung Association. "The American LungAssociation is pleased that Jennifer Garner has joined us to encourage peopleto seek influenza immunization for themselves and their families and toencourage vaccination throughout the fall and winter months, and even into thespring to help ensure they are protected."
Garner was joined today by numerous health officials and other Faces ofInfluenza, including: Bernadette Toomey (American Lung Association's ChiefExecutive Officer), Norman Edelman, MD (American Lung Association's ChiefMedical Officer), actor and father Dean Cain, Anne Schuchat, MD (Centers forDisease Control and Prevention), Richard and Alissa Kanowitz (who lost their4-year-old daughter Amanda to influenza), Tyra Bryant-Stephens, MD (Children'sHospital of Philadelphia), Luis Rodriguez, MD (Mount Sinai Services, ElmhurstHospital Center), nurse Lori Diaz (Clinical Nurse Supervisor for the SuffolkCounty Department of Health in New York), as well as state and local publichealth officials.
About Influenza
Influenza is a serious respiratory illness that, along with itscomplications, kills an average of 36,000 Americans and puts approximately226,000 in the hospital each year. The CDC recommends annual influenzavaccination for anyone wishing to reduce the risk of this disease or spreadingit to others. Other target groups include: adults and children with a chronicmedical condition, such as asthma, COPD and diabetes, people 50 years of ageand older, pregnant women and children 6-59 months of age, residents ofnursing homes and other chronic-care facilities, as well as household contactsand caregivers which includes health-care providers, babysitters and others.
Faces of Influenza Awareness Activities
The Faces of Influenza initiative will conduct widespread awarenessactivities during the influenza season, including national distribution of newtelevision and radio
