Gary Barg: What
is influenza and why should family
caregivers pay attention to
influenza and influenza
vaccinations?
Kristi Yamaguchi:
The goal of
Faces of Influenza is to raise
awareness of the seriousness of
influenza. Because it is a
respiratory illness, it can lead to
many complications, especially for
people in certain health categories,
with chronic health problems, and
aged 65 and older. The CDC
[Centers for Disease Control]
recommends everyone over the age of
six months be vaccinated every year.
Gary Barg:
You are saying it is especially
important for people who might have
health challenges and for seniors to
have the vaccine.
Kristi Yamaguchi:
There is a vaccine for those 65 and
older that is a double dose.
As we age, obviously our immune
systems become a little more
compromised. I think it is important
that seniors realize how dangerous
or how serious getting the flu is
and how it can compromise our health
through other complications.
It is a respiratory virus, so it is
important that we take the vaccine.
If there are any concerns, you need
to check with your doctor or check
out the Web site
facesofinfluenza.org.
Gary Barg:
Carole, you vaccinated the kids; I
will call Kristi one of the kids.
Carole Yamaguchi:
Right, right, and grandkids.
Gary Barg:
And grandkids. What caused you
to say I must do this, this is
something I am going to do and I am
going to have my children understand
that this is something that they
need to do for their kids?
Olympic Gold Medalist, New York Times
best-selling author and fitness
enthusiast, Kristi Yamaguchi, is a
long-time advocate for influenza
vaccination as part of the American Lung
Association’s Faces of Influenza
campaign.