For National Influenza Vaccination Week Dec. 4-10, 2011, the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) is inviting Hispanics ages 6 months and older to get vaccinated against the influenza.

The first and most important step to protect against flu is to get vaccinated, according to the CDC’s Spanish-language flu website.

The vaccine reduces one’s risk of illness, hospitalization, or even death and can prevent the spread of the virus to loved ones.

There is good news: More Hispanic children, 43 percent, have been vaccinated this year than black children at 36 percent or white children at 34 percent, UPI reports.

Go to flu.gov in English or Spanish to learn more.