PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island's first lady has launched a flu immunization campaign by giving this year's vaccine to U.S. Sen. Jack Reed.
Stephanie Chafee (CHAY'-fee), a nurse and the wife of Gov. Lincoln Chafee, vaccinated Reed and state health director Michael Fine on Monday at the Statehouse. Flu shots were also offered to reporters and others who attended the event.
Health officials say everyone older than six months should get a flu shot to prevent the spread of what can be a potentially serious illness.
Fine says 400,000 Rhode Islanders got a flu shot last year. He says he'd like to beat that this year.
Reed, a Democrat, encourages Rhode Islanders to get the vaccine from their doctor or local pharmacy or at one of the vaccination clinics offered by the state.
___
Online: http://www.health.ri.gov/flu/about/vaccination/index.php
