The holiday season is a good time to think about the gift of health

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is a good time to think about the gift of health. National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) reminds us to make our health a priority so we don’t give our loved ones the gift of the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created NIVW as a national observance that highlights the importance of continuing influenza vaccination.

According to the CDC, the flu vaccine is the best tool available to protect against this potentially serious disease, and it can reduce flu-related illnesses, doctors' visits, missed work due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

For the past four years, the AHA has stood United Against the Flu with the CDC and other partners. Our online hub, http://www.advancinghealthinamerica.org/flu/, provides information and resources on getting the flu vaccine and why it’s important for nearly every person to get vaccinated. Please visit the website and engage with us and the other health care organizations via Facebook, Twitter and other social platforms.

It may be the season of giving, but you don’t want to give the flu to those you love. Get vaccinated. Together we are all United Against the Flu.