[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 1] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 168-169] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]IN RECOGNITION OF FAMILIES FLU VACCINATION DAY AND FAMILIES FIGHTING FLU ______ HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN of maryland in the house of representatives Wednesday, January 13, 2010 Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Families Flu Vaccination Day and Families Fighting Flu. Influenza is a serious disease that kills nearly 100 children younger than five years of age every year in the United States. In fact, more children die from the flu than from chicken pox, whooping cough, and measles combined. The flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. With the recent development of H1N1, a deadlier strain of the flu, it is more important now than ever to vaccinate our children and educate the American public. Indeed, more than 240 children in the United States have died from the H1N1 virus. I commend the efforts of Families Fighting Flu, a non-profit, volunteer-based organization of families who have experienced firsthand the death of a child or have had a child experience severe medical complications from seasonal or H1N1 influenza. Families Fighting Flu and its medical advisors are dedicated to educating people about the severity of influenza and the importance of vaccinating children against the flu every year. The members of Families Fighting Flu have suffered terrible personal losses as a result of the virus. We are grateful that they are sharing their personal tragedies so that others will not have to suffer such loss. Influenza is unpredictable, but we know that the more people who are vaccinated, the less likely the disease will spread. Every year in the United States more than 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized due to influenza. Additionally, children are two-to-three times more likely than adults to get sick with the flu because of their less developed immune systems. Because the flu vaccine is typically 60 to 90 percent effective when administered to children, getting an annual flu vaccination is an easy way to help stop the spread of the virus. This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week, a national observance that was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as foster greater use of the flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all children 6 months through 18 years of age get vaccinated against the flu every year. In addition, the CDC recommends that all contacts and caregivers of children from birth to age five should be vaccinated. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Families Fighting Flu. This non-profit organization is determined to help prevent the tragedy of losing another child by encouraging annual flu vaccinations for all children. I look forward to working with [[Page 169]] my colleagues to support Families Flu Vaccination Day and make influenza immunization for children a national health priority. ____________________