Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis, CDC partner to promote flu shots

CULVER CITY, Calif. — An advocacy group focused on a rare lung disorder is working with government authorities to educate patients about the need to get flu shots.

The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis said it would partner with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to inform patients about the need for immunizations. PF is a disorder with no known cause or cure that causes scarring and deterioration of the lungs, affecting about 128,000 Americans.

"We value the CDC's recommendations for flu shots for our patients," coalition CEO Mishka Michon said. "PF patients have lungs that are already fragile and many of them can't afford to be exposed to additional risk."

According to the CDC, patients with chronic lung diseases such as PF are 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalized due to the flu.

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