NFID Campaign Aims to Raise Awareness About Flu Prevention

Los Angeles, CA (October 2, 2019) — As part of a national influenza (flu) awareness campaign, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is sponsoring Metropolitan Fashion Week LA, culminating with the Closing Gala & Fashion Awards on Saturday, October 5, 2019, at the iconic Los Angeles City Hall.

Flu is a highly contagious and potentially serious viral infection that causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths each year in the United States. Getting vaccinated annually against flu is the most effective way to prevent the disease.

“The partnership with Metropolitan Fashion Week LA offers NFID a timely opportunity to promote the importance of flu prevention,” said Marla Dalton, CAE, NFID Executive Director and CEO. “Flu is certainly not fashionable and to help prevent flu, annual flu vaccination is recommended for all individuals age 6 months and older.”

NFID supports the “Take 3” approach to flu prevention recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 1) get an annual flu vaccine, 2) practice healthy habits (cover coughs and sneezes, wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick), and 3) take flu antiviral drugs if prescribed.

“The best time to get vaccinated against flu is early fall, before the flu season starts,“ said Jeffery A. Goad, PharmD, MPH, of Chapman University School of Pharmacy, who serves on the NFID Board of Directors. To find locations where flu vaccines are available by zip code, visit https://vaccinefinder.org/.

The closing gala recognizing outstanding achievements in fashion and costume design, and makeup and hair artistry in motion pictures and television, will be hosted by Eduardo Khawam, fashion expert, producer, and television personality for Telemundo and KTLA, and Christine Devine, six-time Emmy® Award winning television news anchor for KTTV’s Fox 11 News. The NFID Flu Bugs will be present at the gala to remind people about the importance of annual flu prevention.

NFID urges everyone to #GetVaccinated every year to help #FightFlu. Visit www.nfid.org/flu to learn more.

About the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

Founded in 1973, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating the public and healthcare professionals about the burden, causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases across the lifespan. Visit www.nfid.org for more information.

About Metropolitan Fashion Week

Metropolitan Fashion Week is one of the fastest-growing fashion weeks in the United States, with shows in Seattle, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and soon, New York and Miami. Metropolitan is the only fashion week in the world that features both fashion designers and costume designers, from around the world, on one runway. Visit Metropolitan Fashion Week for more information.

Contact: Diana Olson at 301-656-0003 x140