In National H1N1 Emergency, Don't Forget Your Seasonal Flu Shot

President Obama has signed a declaration making the H1N1 virus a national emergency. The declaration can make it easier for local governments and health agencies to set up alternate sites to provide the vaccine and treatment for huge numbers of people who are expected to want the vaccine.

With all the publicity for H1N1, don't forget about your seasonal flu shot.

The government estimates that 1,000 Americans have died from the H1N1 virus, but more than 36,000 people die each year from seasonal flu, and more than 200,000 are hospitalized.

And ninety percent of flu-related deaths and more than half of flu-related hospitalizations occur in people age 65 and older.

To learn more about the importance of seasonal flu shots for older adults, see "Seniors and the Flu--Get Vaccinated!" Then see your doctor for your flu shot, and ask if you should also get the H1N1 vaccine.