Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

NEW YORK—In order to let more people know about the importance of vaccination, officials recently announced that the National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) will be observed from December 8 to 14, 2008.

Now on its third year, NIVW is an annual joint effort of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Influenza Vaccine Summit, and other immunization partners.

"It is not too late to get vaccinated since the flu season usually continues through February," Capt. Anthony Fiore, M.D. a medical epidemiologist from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases told the ethnic media roundtable held recently at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

The panel, which included representatives from the Department for the Aging, CDC and various local hospitals, underscored the seriousness of influenza and the value of vaccination.

"It is important that the awareness of influenza be taken to new heights, that children and the elderly must have their vaccination. We need to take this message to the community," said Josefina Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging.

Carbonell added that aside from the children and the elderly, it is also extremely important that caregivers must get vaccinated as well because they take care of the family members.

"Let us all increase the vaccination rates in our communities," she challenged the roundtable participants.

Senior citizens 65 years or older is one of the groups hardest hit by the flu.

"The flu vaccine is especially important for people 65 and older, particularly those with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, or cancer," said Dr. Jeanne Santoli, Deputy Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at CDC.

Local health departments, public health partners, and providers are encouraged to enhance vaccine availability by scheduling additional clinics, extending clinic hours, and facilitation mass vaccination in retail and other locations during the NIVW and through the remainder of the flu season.

Every year in the United States, an average of 36,000 people die and more than 200,000 are hospitalized from serious flu-related complications, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services. Flu complications can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions.

Symptoms of the flu are generally worse than those of the common cold and can include high fever, headache, coughing, weakness and muscle aches. Since the flu is a contagious disease and it can be spread from person to person when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes near others, officials are urging everyone to get protected against the flu through vaccination.

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published on December 5, 2008 in Asian Journal Northern California p. A6 )