Actress, mother, and wife of Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner spent yesterday, Tuesday November 12, 2007, working with medical officials of the American Lung Association for the “Face of Influenza” public awareness campaign to convince Americans to get their annual flu shots.

The American Lung Association’s goal is to reach the Americans who have been recommended for a vaccination, which is more than tw0-thirds of the population. Influenza kills about 36,000, and hospitalizes more than 200,000 annually. Jennifer’s goal is to help her 2-year-old daughter, Violet, while helping others.

“One in three children get influenza, and more than 100 children die every year from this disease–these are facts that no mother or parent wants to hear.” Jennifer wants families everywhere to understand the importance of obtaining the flu shot.

However, Jennifer was more than just a spokesperson, she gave some of the shots herself. Dean Cain, who played Superman in “Lois and Clark” was also there with his six-year-old son. Dean Cain, who is the first person that Jennifer gave the flu shot to, told others that he is especially at risk for for the virus because of his asthma.

Dr. Norman Edelman, the chief medical officer at the American Lung Association stressed that people under 6 and over 50 are at especially high risk for contracting the disease, and he added that they haven’t given out nearly as many shots as they would like. “Despite serious health risks associated with influenza, many people, including people with chronic health problems, young children and those 50 years or older, are not getting immunized.”

The American Lung Association hosted a free influenza administration clinic in New York so that New Yorkers could receive vaccinations. For the rest of the world, it’s important to make sure that you’re up-to-date on your flu shots.

For more information, you can visit the Faces of Immunization website at http://www.facesofinfluenza.org. There, you can learn about influenza, and how to prevent the spread of immunizations.

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