Peter Gallagher
Actor and Father
Actor Peter Gallagher's youth and family life has been shaped by the devastation of influenza—his grandmother died from complications associated with this potentially deadly infection leaving Peter's father to spend much of his childhood without a mother.
“No child should ever have to grow up without their mother,” said Peter. “Thankfully today, influenza immunizations are widely available and everyone can, and should, take the necessary steps to protect their family.”
America's 77 million Baby Boomers fall into an important risk group recommended for annual influenza immunization. In fact, the rate of hospitalization and risk of death associated with influenza increase considerably by 50 years of age.1
“I'm fortunate—I'm healthy and so is my family, but I know influenza doesn't discriminate and when it comes to one's health, any risk is too great,” said Peter.
As the father of two children of his own, Peter knows how important vaccination is to help ensure his entire family is protected. “Taking the time to vaccinate yourself and those you love is common sense. My grandmother died more than 30 years before I was born—I never even knew her. By protecting myself now, I can help ensure that my grandchildren won't say the same about me someday.”