Monday marked the start of National Influenza Vaccine Week as officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services urged Americans to receive their vaccination before the flu season begins, HealthDay News reported.
“Flu vaccination is the essence of prevention, and prevention is the essence of public health,” Dr. Howard Koh, assistant secretary for health with the department, said during a news conference. “Flu remains a serious and unpredictable disease.”
Koh told reporters that anywhere from five to 20 percent of the U.S. population is infected in any given year, and more than 200,000 may have to be hospitalized. And though vaccination rates have been up since 2009’s H1N1 scare, still not enough Americans are receiving their vaccine.
The flu shot is particularly important for the most at-risk populations, including young children, pregnant women, seniors and people with health conditions like asthma, diabetes and heart or lung disease. In general, it is recommended for everyone over the age of six months.
And though flu activity has been meager thus far, officials would still like to see a large portion of Americans get vaccinated before Christmas. Since vaccinations began in November, an increase of 3.5 percent has been seen, with more children vaccinated this year as well as people aged 65 and older.
