American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza Campaign Stresses the Importance of...

American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza Campaign Stresses the
Importance of Seasonal Influenza Vaccination
- American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza program reminds Americans
that annual vaccination against seasonal influenza is recommended for more
than 80 percent of the U.S. population

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Lung Association is
intensifying its seasonal influenza public education initiative to urge
families to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The Faces of Influenza
campaign aims to ensure Americans get immunized against seasonal influenza,
which each year causes an estimated 36,000 deaths and over 226,000
hospitalizations from the virus and its related complications.

The Faces of Influenza campaign, which includes expanded awareness initiatives
nationally and in many major cities, supports the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention's (CDC) call for Americans to get vaccinated against seasonal
influenza this and every year.

Seasonal influenza is an annual threat, and more than 80 percent of the U.S.
population is recommended to receive the vaccine. In an average year, up to
one in five Americans may be infected with the virus, which can cause missed
days at school or the office, hospitalizations -- and even death.

"Seasonal influenza remains a serious concern, even with the presence of the
2009 H1N1 virus," said Norman Edelman, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the
American Lung Association. "Vaccination against seasonal influenza is the best
protection against this annual disease. Speak with your doctor about getting
you and your family vaccinated to help prevent the spread of the virus."

The CDC recommends seasonal influenza vaccination for more than 250 million
Americans. It is especially important for those in high-risk groups and their
close contacts to get immunized against seasonal influenza as soon as vaccine
is available to avoid serious complications from infection. Immunization
throughout the full season is beneficial, as seasonal influenza virus activity
typically peaks in February or March.

The American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza educational initiative has
expanded this year to include regional activities in 13 communities:
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Indianapolis and Miami. Other cities involved are
Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Mo.; Minneapolis/St. Paul,
Philadelphia, Phoenix, Sacramento, Calif.; and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Faces of Influenza educational initiative also features a comprehensive
speakers' campaign that involves dozens of spokespersons across the country,
sharing their personal stories about the dangers seasonal influenza placed on
their families.

Kristi Yamaguchi, mother, Olympic Gold Medalist and winner of "Dancing with
the Stars," serves as the national spokesperson for the Faces of Influenza
program. As a mother of two young girls, Kristi's first priority is the health
of her family. She makes sure everyone in her family is immunized annually
against influenza.

"Through the Faces of Influenza program, I've worked with families who have
lost loved ones to the disease and its complications. Their tragic experiences
are a reminder that seasonal influenza is serious," Kristi said.

"I take my daughters to get vaccinated every year because it's the best
protection against influenza," Kristi said. "I also ask everyone in contact
with them to make sure they are vaccinated as well, to help create a cocoon of
protection."

With more than four out of five Americans recommended for annual vaccination,
chances are we all know someone who should get vaccinated against seasonal
influenza this and every year. The American Lung Association encourages
everyone to visit www.facesofinfluenza.org to learn more about influenza, and
the groups recommended for annual vaccination against this seasonal disease.

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.

About Seasonal Influenza

Seasonal influenza, along with its complications, is a serious respiratory
illness. On average, 36,000 Americans die and about 226,000 people are
hospitalized each year. Vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent
influenza and its complications. The CDC recommends that anyone who wishes to
reduce their risk of contracting influenza; children 6 months-18 years of age;
adults over 50 years of age; pregnant women; and anyone with chronic health
conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD),
heart disease and diabetes, receive an annual influenza immunization. The CDC
also recommends annual immunization for caregivers and household contacts of
these high-risk groups, such as relatives and health care providers.
Vaccination typically begins in October and can continue through March. The
2009-2010 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations
state that vaccination efforts should begin as soon as vaccine is available
and continue through the influenza season. In most seasons, seasonal influenza
virus activity peaks in February or March, so vaccination throughout the
entire influenza season is beneficial and recommended.

About 2009 H1N1 Influenza

2009 H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus
was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is
spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that
regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. The seasonal influenza vaccine is
not expected to protect against the new 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. For more
information about the 2009 H1N1 virus, including vaccination recommendations,
please visit www.cdc.gov.

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. The Flu Clinic Locator is the largest
online directory of public seasonal influenza vaccination clinics. 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 Web site,
www.flucliniclocator.org, remains active as long as public influenza
immunization clinics are offered.

About the American Lung Association

Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading
organization working to save lives, improve lung health and prevent lung
disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is
"Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy.

For More Information

For more information about the Faces of Influenza educational initiative,
visit www.facesofinfluenza.org. For information about the American Lung
Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA
(1-800-586-4872) or log onto www.lungusa.org. The American Lung Association's
Faces of Influenza educational initiative is made possible through a
collaboration with sanofi pasteur.

CONTACT: Laurel Butterfield
212-886-2242
lbutterfield@cooneywaters.com

Mary Havell
202-715-3459
mhavell@lungusa.org

SOURCE The American Lung Association

Laurel Butterfield, +1-212-886-2242, lbutterfield@cooneywaters.com, or Mary
Havell, +1-202-715-3459, mhavell@lungusa.org