Former Philadelphia Eagle Mike Quick Joins American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic to Address Seriously Low Influenza Vaccination Rates; Urge the Citizens of Philadelphia to Get Immunized This Season

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former Philadelphia Eagle Mike Quick joined the American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic’s Faces of Influenza campaign to encourage influenza vaccination throughout the winter and into the spring to help protect against this serious virus and boost alarmingly low immunization rates among children and adults in Philadelphia. Only about 18 percent of healthy adults in Pennsylvania are vaccinated every year, while just 36 percent of Pennsylvanians at high-risk of developing influenza-related complications receive an annual immunization.¹

“The American Lung Association is pleased that Mike Quick has joined us to encourage people to seek influenza immunization for themselves and their families and to encourage vaccination throughout the fall and winter months, and even into the spring to help ensure they are protected.”

At the age of 32, five-time Pro Bowler and former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Mike Quick was tackled by influenza. The virus hit him so hard that he was hospitalized for three days.

“It can knock you down harder than any tackle,” said Quick. “Influenza isn’t just a cold. It can be much more serious. Chances are you or someone you know should be immunized.”

Local “Face”, Diane McGowan, mother of a child who died from influenza-related complications, has also partnered on the campaign to help encourage increased immunization in Philadelphia. Diane knows firsthand the seriousness of influenza as her 15-year-old son, Martin, died from complications as a result of influenza.

“One flu shot could have saved his life,” said Diane. “As his mother, I wish that he had been vaccinated.” Now Diane works to make sure parents, especially mothers, listen to their parental intuition to protect their children through annual vaccination.

The American Lung Association’s Faces of Influenza campaign aims to reach the more than two out of every three Americans recommended for annual influenza immunization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On average, approximately 36,000 people die and about 226,000 are hospitalized due to influenza and its complications in the US every year. As a son and father, Quick’s involvement will especially help reach parents who often make important health-care decisions for both their elderly parents and their young children.

Mike Quick and Diane McGowan are working with the American Lung Association to encourage vaccination against influenza throughout the fall and winter months and to put a national “face” on this serious disease. As parents, Quick and McGowan are among the more than 220 million “faces” that health officials recommend be vaccinated this and every year. In Philadelphia approximately 72,000 and 290,000 people will suffer from influenza in an average year, and between approximately 622,000 and 2.5 million residents of Pennsylvania will suffer from influenza in an average year.

“Despite serious health risks associated with influenza, many people, including people with chronic health problems, young children and those 50 years and older, are not getting immunized,” said Tyra Bryant-Stevens, MD, Director and Founder of the Community Asthma Prevention Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and with the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania. “The American Lung Association is pleased that Mike Quick has joined us to encourage people to seek influenza immunization for themselves and their families and to encourage vaccination throughout the fall and winter months, and even into the spring to help ensure they are protected.”

About Influenza

Influenza is a serious respiratory illness that, along with its complications, kills an average of 36,000 Americans and puts approximately 226,000 in the hospital each year. The CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for anyone wishing to reduce the risk of this disease or spreading it to others. Other target groups include: adults and children with a chronic medical condition, such as asthma, COPD and diabetes, people 50 years of age and older, pregnant women and children 6-59 months of age, residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities, as well as household contacts and caregivers which includes health-care providers, babysitters and others.

Faces of Influenza Awareness Activities

The Faces of Influenza initiative will conduct widespread awareness activities during the influenza season, including national distribution of new television and radio public service announcements featuring many celebrity “faces”.

In addition, the campaign features a photo exhibition of dramatic black-and-white portraits and personal stories featuring celebrities and everyday Americans who fall into one or more of the groups CDC recommends for annual influenza vaccination. Comprehensive grassroots activities are also planned in six local American Lung Association regions: Detroit, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle, Houston and Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Celebrities who have joined Mike Quick for the Faces of Influenza awareness initiative include: actress and mother Jennifer Garner; actor Dean Cain, who played Superman on ABC’s Lois and Clark; Olympic Gold Medal figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi; WNBA basketball star Sheryl Swoopes; Dr. Joyce Brothers, well-known psychologist and advice columnist; Joy Behar, comedian and co-host of ABC’s The View; Olympic Gold Medalist Vonetta Flowers; and actor Peter Gallagher.

Visitors to the Web site, www.facesofinfluenza.org, can view the photographs and stories featured in the Faces of Influenza Portrait Gallery, and learn more about influenza and how to prevent the spread of this serious virus through vaccination. The site offers reporters, consumers and health-care providers various educational materials about influenza and the importance of immunization.

American Lung Association Flu Clinic Locator Now Available Online

The American Lung Association continues to offer its online Flu Clinic Locator as a public service. By typing in their 5-digit zip code, site visitors can receive a list of immunization clinics in their area. Site visitors may also schedule reminders and sign up to receive seasonal influenza news. The Flu Clinic Locator will remain active as long as public influenza immunization clinics are offered. The Flu Clinic Locator can be accessed via www.facesofinfluenza.org, www.flucliniclocator.org and www.lungusa.org.

About the American Lung Association

Beginning our second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while rates of other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is "Improving life, one breath at a time."

For more information about the Faces of Influenza educational initiative, visit www.facesofinfluenza.org. For information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to www.lungusa.org.

The American Lung Association’s Faces of Influenza educational initiative is made possible through a collaboration with sanofi pasteur.

¹ According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccination coverage rate for high-risk adults 18-49 years of age (as of the 2005-2006 season).