Families Fighting Flu launches new vaccination campaign

ARLINGTON, Va. — Children in the United States miss more than 38 million days of school due to the flu, and in response, one organization is promoting flu vaccination for entire families.

Families Fighting Flu announced Wednesday the launch of its Stay in the Game campaign, which includes a national broadcast of a public service announcement featuring 15-year-old Madison Allen, who nearly died of the flu three years ago. Despite her family usually receiving flu vaccinations every year, they had not been vaccinated in that particular year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends flu vaccination for everyone ages 6 months and older.

"Annual flu vaccination is the safest and most effective prevention technique we currently have to protect against the flu," FFF medical adviser Andrew Eisenberg said. "The flu strains can change from year to year, therefore making it important to get vaccinated every year."