American Lung Association supports ACIP's recommendations for universal influenza immunization

American Lung AssociationFeb 25 2010

The American Lung Association supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP) vote today that recommends universal influenza immunization with seasonal influenza vaccine.  A universal recommendation targets the entire U.S. population for vaccination, including the high-risk groups that are already recommended by the CDC.

"Every one of us needs to get immunized against this serious and potentially life-threatening disease," said Norman Edelman, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the American Lung Association.  "The CDC's recommendation for universal vaccination will help encourage more than 300 million Americans to receive influenza vaccine annually."

The American Lung Association conducts a national and regional influenza immunization awareness campaign, Faces of Influenza, to educate all Americans about this serious disease and to encourage annual influenza immunization.

The American Lung Association joins the ACIP in urging annual immunization against influenza for all Americans to help protect against influenza and prevent the virus from spreading.  Vaccination is safe and effective, and provides the best protection against this serious disease.