Today marks the start of National Influenza Vaccination Week, which runs December 8 through 14 this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designed the event to highlight the importance of continuing influenza (flu) vaccination, as well as to remind people that it is still beneficial to get the flu vaccine in December and the months beyond.

The flu is a contagious disease caused by the influenza virus that produces symptoms such as high fever, sore throat, coughing, body aches, extreme fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, and even nausea and diarrhea in children. It spreads easily from person to person but simple actions such as vaccination and good hygiene are effective ways to protect yourself. The flu virus changes every year and so the flu vaccine must be administered yearly in order to be effective. Vaccination should begin as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the flu season, into December, January, and beyond.

Each year in the United States, an average of 20,000 children younger than five are hospitalized because of flu-related complications. As many as one in five children younger than five may have to see the doctor, visit the ER or other urgent care for treatment for flu. About 100 children on average die from complications of influenza each year.

This year, Tuesday, December 9th, is designated as Children's Vaccination Day. Thursday, December 11th, is designated as Seniors' vaccination Day, and Friday, December 12th, will focus on vaccination of health care workers.

Between 143 million and 146 million doses of influenza vaccine will be produced for use in the United States during the 2008-09 influenza season. This is an all-time high supply of vaccine making it possible for more people than ever to seek protection from the flu.

The CDC recommends that children aged six months up to their 19th birthday get vaccinated against the flu. Children under six months are too young to receive the flu vaccine, but they are among the most vulnerable to develop serious, even fatal, complications from flu. This makes it crucial for close contacts (family members, caregivers, etc.) of such infants to be vaccinated, and the CDC also recommends that close contacts of all children younger than five get a flu vaccine each year to provide added protection to this high risk group. Additionally, people who live with or have other close contact with a child or children of any age with a chronic health problem (asthma, diabetes, etc.) should get a flu vaccine.

Children ages six months up to nine years who are getting a flu vaccine for the first time need two doses of vaccine the first year. The second dose should be given 28 or more days after the first dose.

Get specific advice on how to avoid the flu by reading 3 Tips for Preventing the Flu. For more information on flu vaccination, see the CDC website on seasonal flu vaccines. For information on how to cope with the flu, join the Healia Health Community on cold and flu.

_{Adapted from CDC, Vocus/PRWEB releases}

_{Photo: Jim Gathany, CDC, PHIL}