Jean Smart

Emmy Award-Winning Actress, Mother, and Type 1 Diabetic

Actress Jean Smart keeps her health in balance to stay well for her demanding career and for her family. We all know Jean as the Emmy Award-winning star of television and film as well as a Tony Award-nominated actress; as a type 1 diabetic, she places great value on annual influenza immunization.

Jean is helping to raise awareness among other high-risk groups about the risks of influenza, which can include pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death.

Most people don't realize how seriously influenza can affect those whose health is already compromised by medical conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, weakened immune system, and heart disease—conditions for which immunization is critical.

“Why take a risk that influenza will not affect you. It can and does strike hundreds of thousands of people every year, needlessly putting them in the hospital or, for some, causing death.

“We live in a world where people tend to take risks. Avoiding influenza immunization should not be one of those risks. One simple vaccination every year is all it takes. Take influenza seriously. I do, and I hope everyone who receives this message gets serious about vaccination and shares this concern with their families and others they care about.”