This powerful six and half-minute video, created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with Families Fighting Flu (FFF), features the personal stories of parents who have tragically lost or nearly lost a child to the flu. Why Flu Vaccination Matters: Personal Stories from Families Affected by Flu intertwines the stories of these parents with the facts about influenza as explained by Dr. Jeanne Santoli, Deputy Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC. The video carries a strong message, underscoring the fact that influenza is serious and more than 20,000 children are hospitalized every year due to flu-related complications and some children tragically die. Vaccination is the best and most effective way to help prevent the spread and potentially serious complications of the disease, especially for young children and children with chronic illnesses such as asthma. The video was directed by Emmy award-winning Mustapha Khan, creator of House on Fire, and Emmy-nominated Tommy Walker, co-director of God Grew Tired of Us: The Story of Lost Boys of Sudan. Families Fighting Flu is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization, comprised of families and healthcare practitioners. Each family has experienced first-hand the death of a child due to the flu or has had a child experience severe medical complications from the flu. FFF is dedicated to educating people about the severity of influenza and the importance of vaccinating children against the flu every year. (less info)