Adults over 65, especially those who are frail or have other
health problems, are particularly susceptible to dying from the
flu or a related illness like pneumonia. The most important step
to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot. The flu vaccine is safe
and effective for most people and can prevent up to 60 percent
of hospitalizations and 80 percent of deaths from flu related
complications among older adults. Flu Shot Clinic Locator
Contact Pennsylvania Department of Health, 1-877-PAHEALTH
(1-877-724-3258) While most people have read or heard news
stories about the H5N1 bird Flu (also called avian flu) and a
pandemic, they often do not realize that an influenza pandemic
is different from the seasonal flu. An influenza pandemic is a
worldwide outbreak of disease that occurs when a new strain of
influenza virus appears in the human population. When a new, or
novel, strain of the virus occurs, it is different enough from
previous circulating strains that few people have any immunity
to it. A flu pandemic can sp