HONOLULU – The Hawai'i State Department of Health is urging everyone in Hawaii to treat themselves to an unusual holiday gift — a flu shot.

Getting vaccinated is the most effective preventive measure against flu, health officials said. It protects the person vaccinated and helps protect others who may be at risk for complications from the flu.

"It could be the best holiday gift you and your family receive this year," said Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino. "Every year, children and adults miss holiday festivities, classes, work, sports, or risk being hospitalized because of illness and complications from the flu," Fukino said in a news release.

It's not too late to get a flu shot, especially since influenza activity occurs year-round in Hawai'i, and the annual winter rise in flu illness has already begun," said Dr. Sarah Y. Park, chief of the DOH Disease Outbreak Control Division.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has designated Dec. 8-14 as National Influenza Vaccination Week, designed to highlight the importance of influenza (flu) vaccination.

Today is designated as Children's Vaccination Day; Thursday is Seniors' Vaccination Day; and Friday, Dec. 12, will focus on vaccination of healthcare workers.

"So far, according to recent CDC strain-typing analyses of Hawai'i influenza isolates, the 2008-09 influenza vaccine is a good match with the influenza strains circulating here," said Park.

Flu shots are highly recommended for children ages 6 months through 18 years, adults 50 and older, and anyone with chronic health problems such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. The nasal spray flu vaccine, FluMist®, is approved for use in healthy people who are 2-49 years old and are not pregnant.

The DOH urges everyone to protect themselves as well as their family, friends, and community by getting vaccinated against the flu during this holiday season. While healthy adults usually recover from the flu, when they are ill they become a source of infection for vulnerable groups like the elderly, the immunocompromised, or the very young.

In addition to getting vaccinated, individuals can protect themselves and their family by practicing the following health tips:

• Stay at home if you are sick – away from others who could become infected.

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Boost your immune system by getting lots of rest, eating healthy, and limiting alcohol intake.

For more information about where to get a flu shot, call 211 or visit www.vaxhawaii.com.