Actress and Mother Jennifer Garner Kicks Off American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza Awareness Campaign, Encouraging Families to Get Vaccinated Against...( NEW YORK Nov. 12 -- Actress Jenn...),Health

NEW YORK, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Actress Jennifer Garner joined leading medical officials at a press conference today to kick off the American Lung Association's national Faces of Influenza public awareness campaign, urging Americans to get their annual influenza vaccination. The program is designed to help Americans put a "face" on this serious disease and recognize annual immunization as a safe and effective way to protect themselves and their families against influenza. The American Lung Association also hosted a free influenza immunization clinic, where hundreds of New Yorkers were vaccinated.

The American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza campaign aims to reach the more than two out of every three Americans recommended for annual influenza immunization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On average, approximately 36,000 people die and about 226,000 are hospitalized due to influenza and its complications in the US every year. Garner's involvement will especially help reach women who are often the health-care decision makers for their families.

"Women play an important role in a family. It's our job to take care of those we love, that's why I make sure my family is protected against influenza," said Garner. "Influenza isn't just a cold. It can be much more serious. Chances are you or someone you know should be immunized."

Garner is working with the American Lung Association to encourage vaccination against influenza throughout the fall and winter months and to put a national "face" on the eighth leading cause of death when combined with pneumonia. As a mother of a young child, Garner is one of the more than 220 million "faces" that health officials recommend be vaccinated this and every year.

"Despite serious health risks associated with influenza, many people, including people with chronic health problems, young children and those 50 years and older, are not getting immunized," said N
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