In Montco, Pa. Lawmakers Shine Spotlight on Importance of Flu Vaccinations
By Jim Melwert
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (CBS) -- Members of the Life Sciences Caucus of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were in King of Prussia today, hearing from state health officials and pharmaceutical company representatives about ways to encourage more people to get flu shots.
The meeting was held at BioCSL, a manufacturer of flu vaccine.
Among the speakers was Robin Rothermel, of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, who noted that Pennsylvania sits around the national average, with about 43 percent of people getting the flu vaccine each year.
But, she said, she wants to see that number rise. And she says she hopes the threat of influenza doesn't get lost in the headlines about another disease.
"Last year in Pennsylvania, 131 people died of influenza. We've had no confirmed cases of Ebola in Pennsylvania."
Rothermel says she doesn't want to downplay the seriousness of Ebola, but flu is here and now.
She was joined at the hearing by Diane McGowan, whose 15-year-old son, Martin, died from complications of influenza.
"He contracted his first symptoms at 2:30 in the morning, and by 6:00 that night he was gone," she said.
McGowan founded the MARTIN Flu Foundation ("May All Receive Their Immunization Now") to raise awareness of the need for flu vaccines.
"It was my decision not to get him vaccinated, and as a mom I will always live with that," she added.