New Television Public Service Announcement
Highlights the Dangers of Flu:
Mom Shares How the Virus Took Her Baby's Life
DENVER - The Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment and The Children's Hospital has issued a television
public service announcement warning residents about the dangers
of influenza. The announcement, which aired Nov. 10 and will run
through Dec. 31, features a mother whose 6-month-old died after
being infected with the influenza virus in 2003.
Julie Moise, the mother featured in the public service
announcement, said, "Since losing my son, Ian, I have dedicated
my life to warning parents about how dangerous the flu can be.
People often tell me that they do not get sick much, so they
don't need a vaccination. What they're not understanding is that
they can give the flu to their loved ones even if they don't
feel sick themselves. Older people and babies are especially
vulnerable to this disease."
Dr. Christine Nyquist, an infectious disease expert from The
Children's Hospital in Denver, who also is featured in the
announcement, said, "We see so many children each year that are
hospitalized due to influenza. This disease is vaccine
preventable, so it's important that people are vaccinated so
that everyone can be kept safe from the flu."
The public service announcement is sponsored by the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment and The Children's
Hospital of Denver.
An ample supply of influenza vaccine is allowing more people to
be protected against the flu during the 2008-09 flu season. The
influenza virus, or the flu, is a very contagious respiratory
illness that can lead to serious health complications and
sometimes death.
"The single best way to protect yourself and your family from
the flu is to get the flu vaccine," said Dr. Ned Calonge, the
state's chief medical officer of the Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment. "More available vaccine means
more protection for the most vulnerable people in our
communities, such as babies, the elderly and those with certain
health problems."
To better protect the public, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention now is recommending that all eligible children
ages 6 months through 18 years receive the influenza vaccine.
Prior to this season the recommendation was for ages 6 months to
6 years. Immunizing more children against the flu better
protects the entire community against an outbreak of flu. By
preventing these children from getting sick, family members also
are protected, as well as the other people these children come
in contact with on a daily basis.
Every year in the United States about 5-20 percent of the
population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are
hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die.
Some people, such as older people, young children and people
with certain health conditions, are at higher risk for serious
flu complications.
In addition to the health impact from the flu, the disease also
can carry with it huge financial costs for persons who miss work
due to their illness or the illness of a family member.
According to the CDC, studies show adults receiving flu vaccine
have 27 percent fewer missed workdays due to illness.
Vaccine manufacturers are projecting that as many as 146 million
doses of influenza vaccine will be available for use in the
United States this season. This is an all-time high supply of
vaccine, making it possible for more people than ever to seek
protection from the flu.
The flu season typically peaks in January or February. People
can receive the influenza vaccine now and still have immunity
through the season, which generally ends in March. For flu
vaccine clinic information, visit
www.immunizecolorado.com or
call 1-877-462-2911.
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State of Colorado,
Department
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