TALLAHASSEE –The Florida Department of Health (DOH) recognizes fall as the historical beginning of influenza (flu) season and urges Floridians who have not already done so to get their flu shots today. In Florida, the disease usually peaks in late January or February and continues through March. It is important to start vaccinating early and to continue flu vaccination throughout the winter months and beyond.

In the United States, influenza results in approximately 200,000 hospitalizations each year. Annually, over 36,000 people in the U.S. die from the flu, and most are age 65 or older. More people die from flu than from any other vaccine-preventable disease.

“Floridians still die from diseases that are easily prevented by safe and effective vaccines,” said Charles Alexander, Chief of the DOH Bureau of Immunization. “Children, adolescents and adults should be screened for recommended vaccines at every medical visit.”

Parents and caregivers can contribute to the safety and well-being of children by having them immunized. It is also important that adults, parents and grandparents who are in close contact with young children be immunized as well. Each year, over 20,000 children under age five are hospitalized from influenza. Children under age two are as likely to be hospitalized as adults who are 65 or older.

Top 3 reasons to get flu vaccine:

• Prevent influenza-related death
• Prevent severe illness
• Protect other people

Flu vaccine shipments are arriving in providers’ offices, and now is the time to arrange for your annual flu vaccination. The influenza vaccine is readily available this year, and all able individuals are encouraged to receive the vaccine. DOH also reminds all adults and adolescents that safe and effective vaccines are available to protect them against other potentially life-threatening diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A and B, shingles, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox).

DOH promotes, protects and improves the health of all people in Florida. For more information on immunization and flu vaccination, visit the DOH website at www.immunizeflorida.org/publications/index.htm and www.immunizeflorida.org/flu/flu_locator.htm. For flu vaccine locations, contact a health care provider, a local county health department, or visit the American Lung Association's website at http://flucliniclocator.org/.