PTA (Parent Teacher Association), a partnership with Flu Busters and Novartis Vaccines, has teamed-up this year. “Let’s Fight Flu Together!”A new public health initiative offering influenza vaccination clinics at PTA schools and other community sites across the country. This partnership will help to keep families healthy, children and teachers at school, and parents and guardians at work during influenza season.

Many people believe that influenza is a common illness. “the flu,”It is not a serious illness. It can also be fatal. More than 200,000 Americans are admitted to hospital each year and 36,000 die annually from influenza and its complications. Students miss on average 38 million school days each year due to influenza. Parents also miss more than 10,000,000 work days because they have to care for their sick children.

“PTA is committed to helping keep children, parents, teachers, school staff and community members healthy this influenza season,”Jan Harp Domene was the national president of PTA. “In 2006, only 20 percent of the school-age children recommended to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza actually received the vaccine. We hope that offering these clinics will help make receiving an influenza vaccination convenient for people while educating them on the importance of preventing this potentially serious illness.”

Flu shots can be administered throughout the year. “Let’s Fight Flu Together!”PTA will receive a donation. Every vaccination will cost $30. Medicare Part B will also be accepted from eligible individuals.

“People need to know that personal hygiene, such as washing your hands, and good nutrition are only part of staying healthy during the influenza season,”Richard Kanowitz is president of Families Fighting Flu. “The single best protection against this potentially deadly disease is an annual influenza vaccination.”

You can find a complete list of sites that offer influenza vaccination clinics at www.flushots.org www.PTA.org/flushotclinics. For additional information about influenza prevention, visit www.flusource.com.

Influenza vaccines have not been approved for children younger than six months. They may not be able to prevent the disease in all cases. To determine if a person is not eligible for the vaccine, they should consult their doctor. Side effects are common with all vaccines. Local reactions and mild general symptoms are the most common side effects.

Today’s life is very fast. People can check their kids’ soccer scores on the phone, while also sending emails to work with the help of digital technology. Consumers can expect the same conveniences and benefits from all businesses, except their insurance companies, thanks to the internet age. For many people struggling to pay their medical bills, this can seem like a long wait, even though 98 percent of claims for health insurance are processed in 30 days.

It is no longer enough to be insured, as nearly two-thirds of American households have less income than 2002. It is important to find out how fast and easy your insurance company processes and pays claims. This is important for both financial and medical recovery.

Recent research found that 66% would not be able to adjust to the high financial cost of serious illnesses or injuries. Only 49% of workers have over $1,000 to pay out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, rising healthcare costs are forcing employers into cost-saving measures that are putting employees under greater financial pressure.

* Increasing employees’ health care insurance copayments.

* Increasing employees’ share of premium.

* Implementing high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts.

Some people might have to wait as long as a month to receive their insurance payments. Many insurance companies are able to offer fast service because they have better technology and an understanding of today’s consumer needs. This is just one example. AflacIt is almost rare for insurance companies to offer policies that include claims processing, approval, and payment in a single day.

Fast payment policies are no longer luxury items of the past. It is now a necessity. It’s vital to have funds readily available for serious illness or injury. You should ensure that your insurance company can move at your pace.

Aflac’s One Day Pay Promise can be found at aflac.com/onedaypay.