Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

LOS ANGELES – Centers for Disease Control officials are urging elderly adults, children and pregnant women to get their flu shots this season because it might save their lives.

Those three groups are among the five at risk groups more susceptible and likely to die from flu-related symptoms. CDC officials are also urging people with chronic medical conditions and people who live in nursing homes and other care facilities to get a flu shot too.

Every year in the US, an average of 36,000 people die, and more than 200,000 are hospitalized from serious flu-related complications, according to CDC officials.

And this year, a new strain of the flu, H1N1 also known as swine flu, has claimed the lives of more than 600 people since April. Among those fatalities were young children and pregnant women.

"There are groups that have immune systems not as strong as the general population – pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions have an immune system that have a lower strength and that’s why they have a higher risk of developing complications of the influenza," said Dr. Felipe Lobelo, Ph.D., Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during a press conference at the St. Anne Hospital in Los Angeles.

"Children also have a developing immune system that is not ready to fight this virus and that’s why they are also have a higher risk of developing complications of this virus."

According to the CDC, influenza activity has already increased in the US just this month alone. Flu activity is now widespread in 37 states.

Nationwide, visits to doctors for influenza-like-illness increased over last week and are higher than expected for this time of year. In addition, flu-related hospitalizations and deaths are increasing as well, and are higher than expected, according to the CDC.

The increase of the flu illness especially during the fall months is a reason why CDC officials and doctors are urging the community to get their flu shots as soon as possible.

"Our goal is to diminish the likelihood of the virus circulating and to reduce the number of people who get infected by influenza," said Dr. Lobelo. "So our goal is to vaccinate at least the people who are highest at risk. The more people get the vaccine the healthier we will all be."

Some people are concerned that getting a flu shot vaccination may increase the likelihood of getting them sick or sicker.

But that’s a myth, said Lobelo.

"The vaccination is effective and safe," he said. "People especially in the high target group should get the vaccine as soon as they can because they are not only going to protect themselves, they’ll also protect the community from this new virus that can be deadly." n