National Influenza Vaccination Week Kicks Off Sunday

By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - National Influenza Vaccination Week starts Sunday and there are lots of places to get a vaccine locally.

Health and Human Services regional administrator Dalton Paxman says the CDC has found the number of people getting flu shots falls off dramatically after Thanksgiving so it designated the first week of December as a reminder that flu season lasts until May so it's not too late to get protected.

"That and the fact that you have family and friends coming for the holiday, it's really a good time to get everyone protected with the flu vaccine," Paxman explains.

The vaccine changes every year, based on what experts predict will be afflicting us. This year's vaccine includes a swine flu dose along with two other strains.

You can get them not just at your doctor's office but at pharmacies, clinics, some schools and workplaces and on Wednesday, Senator Shirley Kitchen's office will be giving them out.

"We're reaching out to seniors and also young working people," says Kitchen.

She says an estimated 20 percent of young workers are uninsured.