Time again for flu shots

As the flu season heats up, the American Lung Association has launched its online "flu shot locator" at www.lungusa.org to help more people find and obtain flu vaccinations in their neighborhoods.

"Approximately 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths are due to influenza-associated illness each year, so it is imperative for people to receive the flu shot annually, and ... November is the time to do it," implores John Kirkwood, president of the American Lung Association.

"... We are working overtime to make sure that as many people as possible use it before flu season swings into high gear. Even if you miss the best time to receive the flu shot, you can still get a shot at anytime throughout the season."

"People who receive the flu shot have greatly reduced their chances of contracting not only the flu, but infectious complications of the flu," notes Norman H. Edelman, consultant for medical affairs. "Vaccination with the flu shot has been associated with reductions in physician visits, hospitalizations, and death among the elderly, young children, and people with chronic conditions, including those with asthma.

"In addition, the introduction of SARS and the Avian Flu has increased the need for the flu shot since symptoms of all three diseases are similar. Receiving the flu shot can help your doctor determine the true cause of illness and prescribe the correct medical course."

The Lung Association's expanded locator includes more than 20,000 different spots across the U.S. and can search within a 50-mile radius of the desired zip code. In addition, new features enable users to set up reminders about when a flu vaccination site is coming to their area, and a "send a friend" option allows consumers to tell their friends and family members about it.

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