Families Fighting Flu Statement in Response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Press Conference on 2013-2014 Flu Vaccine Effectiveness

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Families Fighting Flu (FFF) encourages U.S. families to be diligent about flu prevention and get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months of age and older be vaccinated annually to protect against flu. Recently released data by the CDC showed this season's flu vaccine provides substantial protection against the circulating flu strains with efficacy consistent among all age groups. An increase in flu cases in healthy, young and middle-age adults has been seen this season—an important reminder that everyone can be susceptible to this dangerous disease. Annual vaccination is the best preventative measure available. With flu season lasting into May, it is not too late to get vaccinated, and it can save your life.

"Ten years ago, we lost our daughter, Amanda, to the flu when she was only four years old," said Richard Kanowitz, president of Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit organization committed to raising awareness and understanding about the seriousness of the flu. "Although it can have devastating effects, flu can be preventable. While we know the flu vaccine is never 100 percent effective, it is critical to underscore that it is the best option we have to protect ourselves and those around us from this potentially deadly disease."

"It's Not 'Just' the Flu – It's a Serious Disease!"

At the heart of Families Fighting Flu's mission is education about the seriousness of flu. Families who have lost a child to the flu or whose child suffered serious medical complications share their personal stories and unique first-hand perspectives in the hopes that others won't have to endure similar hardships or to console those going through a loss.

For more information about the flu and flu prevention, to find an influenza vaccination clinic in your area or to support flu prevention education, visit www.familiesfightingflu.org.To receive the latest news and information about flu, follow FFF on Twitter (https://twitter.com/famfightflu) or join FFF on Facebook (www.facebook.com/familiesfightingflu).     

About Families Fighting Flu
Families Fighting Flu is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) volunteer-based advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the lives of children. Our members include families whose children have suffered serious medical complications or died from influenza, as well as health care practitioners and advocates committed to flu prevention. In honor of our children, we work to increase awareness about the seriousness of the disease and to reduce the number of childhood hospitalizations and deaths caused by the flu each year by increasing vaccination rates. Families Fighting Flu offers support to other families and communities who have been severely affected by the flu through resources available on www.familiesfightingflu.org.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140220/NE69074-INFO-a )
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140220/NE69074LOGO-b )

Media Contact:
Jenn Corrigan
Feinstein Kean Healthcare
(732) 742-7148
[email protected]

SOURCE Families Fighting Flu