Media Advisory

Pregnant Women, Children and Caregivers Urged to Get Flu Vaccine

Family Vaccination Day on December 6 Reminds Parents and Caregivers of Threat of Flu

What

As part of National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designated Monday, December 6, as Family Vaccination Day to highlight the importance of vaccination for the entire family. Flu vaccination is especially important for pregnant women, children and caregivers of children younger than 6 months of age since they are either at a higher risk of developing serious complications from influenza, or they care for those who are.

Annual flu vaccination is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. Outreach activities for Family Vaccination Day include messages from the U.S. Surgeon General, Regina Benjamin, as well as outreach activities with Families Fighting Flu and Twitter Moms.

Today, Flu.gov will air a special webcast for pregnant women about the importance of vaccination. Infants under 6 months are not recommended to get a flu vaccination, so that’s why it’s especially important for expectant mothers to be vaccinated. The webcast features guests from HHS, CDC, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the March of Dimes. Visit Flu.gov to learn more.

When

Monday, December 6, 2010 – Family Vaccination Day

Why

In the U.S. each year an average of 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized because of flu complications. Pregnant women are also at increased risk of developing serious complications from flu.

Background

Influenza (the flu) is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. The first and most important step in protecting against the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season, especially before the traditional winter peak in flu activity. For a complete listing of NIVW activities—and details on the seasonal flu—visit www.flu.gov/getvaccinated.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES