Every year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population becomes infected with influenza virus. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from influenza complications and about 36,000 people die from influenza. Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza and its severe complications. Anyone who wants to reduce their risk for getting influenza should be vaccinated during each influenza season.
To help raise awareness about the importance of influenza vaccination in November and beyond, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Influenza Vaccine Summit and other partners announce a National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) to take place from Monday, November 27 through Sunday, December 3, 2006. CDC encourages state and local health departments, public health partners, and providers to plan influenza vaccination clinics and activities to promote influenza vaccination.
Free materials are available for easy printing at the"flu gallery" (www.cdc.gov/flu/gallery), including posters and educational flyers.
