The mission of Alana's Flu Foundation is to educate the public about the importance of yearly influenza (flu) vaccinations and in doing so, increase the annual vaccination rates by providing convenient and affordable options for immunization.
What is Influenza?
Influenza, commonly called "the flu", is a highly contagious disease that is caused by a virus, which infects the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs). Unlike the common cold, the FLU can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people of all ages. Nationwide each year, more than 200,000 people (20,000 children) are hospitalized from flu related complications and 36,000 die, including more than 380 children over the past five flu seasons.
Click Here to watch Alana's Flu Foundation PSA.
H1N1 for up to date information please click on one of the links below:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
MI Department of Community Health
QUICK FACTS:
- Approximately 1 out of 3 children will contract influenza this year
- Approximately 1/5 of the U.S. population attends or works in schools. Since kids are flu transmitters, they are likely to spread influenza in their home and community
- Kids sick with influenza miss approximately 38 million school days annually
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Researchers have demonstrated that vaccinating approximately 50 to 70 percent of school-aged children would considerably reduce influenza in the general population.
- Anyone can get the flu , young or old, healthy or high risk. Every year in the US , 1 in 5 people will get influenza
FLU PREVENTION
The single best way to prevent influenza is by getting a flu vaccination each year.
The US Center for Disease Control (CDC), recommends yearly influenza vaccinations for all children 6 months of age and older and for anyone who wants to reduce their risk of contracting the flu or transmitting it to others.
In addition the vaccination everyone can help prevent or slow the spread of influenza by promoting good health habits:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Stay home from work, school and social events when you are sick
- Cough into your sleeve and wash your hand frequently
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Practice good health habits: get plenty of sleep, exercise, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritiously
