Influenza is Leading Cause of Vaccine-Preventable Deaths for Kids; Despite CDC Recommendations, Moms Still Don't...( Visiting Nurse Associations of Ame...),Health

Visiting Nurse Associations of America, Families Fighting Flu and The Clorox Company Team Up to Vaccinate Thousands of Children in October to

Make Flu Season Less Scary

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows only a small fraction of the children who need to get a flu vaccination actually get one, despite the CDC recommendations that all children six months to five years old should get vaccinated. In fact, a recent survey by the Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA) found almost half of moms of children under five do not get their kids vaccinated every year.

Of the 45 percent of these moms who did not follow CDC recommendations to get their kids vaccinated against the flu, one-third said they did not think it was necessary. That is why VNAA, Families Fighting Flu and The Clorox Company are teaming up to drive awareness about flu prevention and increase vaccinations nationwide through the Say "Boo!" to the Flu(TM) program.

"Nearly 100 American children under five years of age die every year from influenza(1) -- the goal of this program is to give parents the tools to help protect their families," said Richard Kanowitz, president of Families Fighting Flu. "We know moms and families have a lot going on during this time of year, so this program makes it easy to get a vaccination, and the activities add some fun for the kids, too."

Say "Boo!" to the Flu is Coming to You

The Say "Boo!" to the Flu program was created to educate families on the importance of flu vaccinations and other tips to help prevent the spread of the flu virus all fall and winter. Nationwide Say "Boo!" to the Flu events will make for a happier, healthier Halloween by getting families vaccinated before the peak of flu season, and taking the ouch out of the vaccination with games and free giveaways -- like T-shirts, stickers and Clorox disinfecting
'/>"/>