Did you know American Indians and Alaska Natives are up to four times more likely than the general U.S. population to die from pneumonia and other influenza-related conditions?  Anyone can get the flu, and it can be serious. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine.

December 2-8, 2012 is National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), which provides an opportunity to remind everyone 6 months and older that it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine. NIVW is a national observance established by the CDC in 2005 to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination—as well as fostering greater use of the flu vaccine—after the holiday season into January and beyond.

NIVW provides an opportunity for public health professionals, health care professionals, health advocates, communities and families from across the country to work together to promote flu vaccination. We know that many partners across the United States have plans to participate in NIVW, including those in Indian Country, and the success of NIVW relies upon the involvement of partners at all levels. For example, flu clinics or forums are planned for December 5 at Mark Twain Elementary School in Oklahoma City, OK in cooperation with the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, and for December 6 at the Native Health Project in Spokane, Washington.

Learn more about the Protect the Circle of Life campaign for American Indians and Alaska Natives at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/print-native.htm