American Lung Assoc. encourages you to see yourself among the many 'faces of influenza' Health experts recommend annual influenza vaccination for more than 220 million people in the United States.Despite this recommendation, influenza immunization rates fall far short every year.Approximately 1 to 5 million residents in the region of Delaware,New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia will suffer from influenza in an average year. The American Lung Association is conducting a national educational campaign - The Faces of Influenza - as a multiyear public awareness initiative to help put a "face"on this serious disease. The campaign encourages people to recognize annual influenza immunization as an important preventative measure to protect themselves and their loved ones each year. Celebrities, local health officials and everyday people have joined the Faces of Influenza campaign, sharing personal stories about their experiences with the disease, and encouraging influenza vaccination among recommended groups. Dean Cain,who played Superman from the popularTV series Lois and Clark, has joined the 2007-2008 Faces of Influenza initiative and urges regional residents to see themselves among the "faces" featured in the program and to get immunized.These faces include people who fall into one or more of the high-risk groups recommended for annual immunization by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Influenza, along with its complications, is a serious respiratory illness.On average, 36,000 Americans die, and about 226,000 people are hospitalized in the United States every year.Vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. "Despite serious health risks associated with influenza,many people, including people with chronic health problems, young children, and those 50 years of age or older, are not getting immunized," says American Lung Association Board physician,Albert A.Rizzo, M.D."More than two out of three Americans should be vaccinated every year, which means it's likely that each one of us knows someone whose well- being, good health, or life depends on getting an influenza immunization each and every year." On a national level, actress and mother Jennifer Garner is the spokeswoman for the Faces of Influenza campaign. Other celebrities'"faces" featured are: Olympic Gold Medal figure skater KristiYamaguchi;Dr. Joyce Brothers, well-known psychologist and advice columnist; Joy Behar, comedian and cohost of ABC's The View; Olympic Gold Medalist Vonetta Flowers; and actor Peter Gallagher, star of Fox's the"OC." Faces of Influenza awareness activities The initiative also includes educational materials for consumers and health-care providers, as well as the national distribution of news television and radio public service announcements featuring Jennifer Garner and the high-risk groups recommended for influenza immunization.The Lung Association has developed aWeb site, www.facesofinfluenza.org,where consumers and health-care providers can find more information about influenza and the importance of immunization. Visitors to the site can also view the photographs and stories featured in the Faces of Influenza Portrait Gallery, view the public service campaign, and utilize the Lung Association's "Flu Clinic Locator," the largest online directory of public influenza clinics. About influenza Influenza, along with its complications, is a serious respiratory illness.On average, 36,000 Americans die and about 226,000 are hospitalized each year.Vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. Adults and children with chronic medical conditions such as asthma,COPD, heart disease,weakened immune system, diabetes, and others, are at an increased risk for complications. People 50 years of age and older, pregnant women, children 6-59 months of age, as well as their household contacts should also be vaccinated to help prevent influenza-related complications and the spread of this dangerous disease. Vaccination typically begins in October and can continue through March. In most seasons, influenza virus activity peaks in February or March, so vaccination throughout the entire influenza season is beneficial and recommended. About the flu clinic locator In addition to this new campaign, the Lung Association continues to offer its Flu Clinic Locator as a public service.By typing in their five-digit ZIP code, site visitors can receive a list of immunization clinics in their area. Site visitors may also schedule appointment reminders and sign up to receive seasonal influenza news.The Flu Clinic Locator remains active as long as public influenza immunization clinics are offered. For more information about the Faces of Influenza educational initiative, visit www.facesofinfluenza.org. For more information about the American Lung Association and to support the work that it does, call 800-LUNGUSA (1- 800-586-4872) or log onto www.lungusa. org. The American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza educational initiative is made possible by a collaboration with SanofiPasteur.