(BLACK PR WIRE/FAMU-TALLAHASSEE) – Every year, millions of Americans are infected with Influenza, also known as the flu. There are many ways to prevent the flu, but one of a person’s best chances against the virus is by getting the flu vaccine.

Last year, thousands of people were infected with the H1N1 disease. According to the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/surveillanceqa.htm, “From April 15, 2009 to July 24, 2009, states reported a total of 43,771 confirmed and probable cases of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) infection. Of these cases reported, 5,011 people were hospitalized and 302 people died.” Although the CDC discontinued counting the number of cases and probable cases in July 2009, it still encourages people ages 6 months and older to get the vaccination.

Ann Waltz, a registered nurse who oversees the immunization program at the Leon County Health Department in Tallahassee, FL said that getting the flu shot is the single best way to stop the flu. People can get their flu vaccinations now at the health department. “It’s too early to tell if the flu season will be bad,” Waltz said. “Influenza peeks in February till May; right now it is very hard to tell the severity of the season.”

Waltz also said that this year’s flu vaccines will contain strains of the H1N1 virus. “There are two versions of the flu vaccine,” Waltz said. “Type A and Type B. This year, Type A will contain strains of the H1N1 virus to help prevent the disease.”