American Lung Association provides flu clinic locator

Citing low vaccination rates among asthmatics, the American Lung Association is calling for increased vaccinations for the flu for those with this chronic lung disease.

“Of those with asthma, only 40 percent of adults and 10 percent of children are actually immunized, leaving the vast majority at increased risk for serious complications and illness from influenza infection” said H. James Gooden, Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Lung Association - Southeast Region. “The American Lung Association strongly supports influenza immunization for people with asthma, we believe it is more harmful for people with asthma to avoid getting a flu shot.”

The American Lung Association’s recommendation for influenza immunization for people with asthma comes as a result of a large study at the organization’s Asthma Clinic Research Centers, a network of 20 facilities around the country that study asthma. The study, which included over 2000 adults and children with all types of asthma, proved that the flu shot is safe for people with asthma. Another analysis done by the American Lung Association estimated that vaccinating every child with asthma against the flu could prevent nearly 100,000 hospitalizations in a year.

The American Lung Association encourages Americans to contact their health care provider or public health department to get a flu shot. The Lung Association also provides a Flu Clinic Locator to help people quickly locate a convenient influenza vaccine clinic in their area. To use the Flu Clinic Locator, visit www.lungusa.org, type in your five-digit zip code, and you will receive a list of clinics and contact information for sites offering influenza vaccine. You can also call (800) LUNG USA to get locations near you.

Immunization provides the best protection against the flu. The best time to get vaccinated is in October and November as influenza season usually begins in December. It takes approximately two weeks after immunization to develop protective antibodies. For additional information, contact the American Lung Association at (800) LUNG USA or www.lungusa.org.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommends people with asthma be immunized each year to prevent influenza. People with asthma represent one of the largest high-risk groups among other persons with underlying medical conditions who should receive the vaccine. (Other high-risk persons include those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, heart disease).Despite the CDC recommendations, influenza vaccination rates among people with asthma and other underlying medical conditions remain low.

· Close to 20 million Americans suffer from asthma, a lung disease that is characterized by coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, and can be life-threatening if not properly managed.

· Influenza, a common viral infection, can be especially severe for patients with lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Annual vaccination offers protection from serious illness, hospitalization by preventing influenza and its complications, including pneumonia.

· More than six million infants and children suffer from asthma (National Center for Health Statistics. National Health Interview Survey. 2003). and are recommended to receive an influenza vaccination each year, however, nearly 90 percent do not receive an annual immunization. (Kramarz P, DeStefano F, Gargiullo PM, et al. Influenza vaccination in children with asthma in health maintenance organizations. Vaccine Safety Datalink Team. Vaccine 2000,18;2288-94.)

· Of the 13.6 million adults who have asthma (National Center for Health Statistics. National Health Interview Survey. 2003), only 29 percent of those ages 18-49 years received an influenza shot in 2003. Only 48 percent of adults ages 50-64 with asthma received an influenza shot in 2003.(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Self-reported influenza vaccination coverage trends 1989-2003 among adults by age group, risk group, race/ethnicity, health-care worker status and pregnancy status, United States, National Health Interview Survey)

· If 50 percent of adults and children with asthma received an influenza vaccine, an estimated $379 million would be saved in hospitalization costs (American Lung Association, Asthma and Children Fact Sheet, July 2005)

· Vaccinating all children with asthma against influenza could prevent 59 to 78 percent of asthma hospitalizations and emergency room visits during flu season.( Kramarz P, DeStefano F, Gargiullo PM, et al. Influenza vaccination in children with asthma in health maintenance organizations. Vaccine Safety Datalink Team. Vaccine 2000,18;2288-94.)

· Influenza vaccination is also highly effective in the prevention of influenza-related acute respiratory illness in patients with mild to severe COPD.(Wongsurakia P, Maranetra KN, Wasi C, Kositanont U, Dejsomritrutai W, Charoenratankul S. Acute respiratory illness in patients with COPD and the effectiveness of influenza vaccination: a randomized controlled study. Chest. 2004 Jun; 125(6):2011-20.)

The Lung Association provides its Flu Clinic Locator, an online tool designed to help people locate an influenza vaccine clinic nearby. To use the Flu Clinic Locator, visit www.lungusa.org, type in the five-digit zip code, and receive a list of clinics and contact information for sites offering the flu vaccine.

Beginning its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is “Improving life, one breath at a time.” For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to www.lungusa.org. The American Lung Association does not endorse products.

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