The lung association touts the online directory - www.flucliniclocator.org - as the largest list of public influenza vaccination clinics available. It includes more than 40,000 clinic locations nationwide, sorting them by zip codes.

Persons using the database may also request an appointment e-mail reminder and influenza-specific updates throughout the season.

At a national news conference Wednesday, health officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and other groups strongly urged Americans to get vaccinated throughout the entire influenza season (October through March) to protect themselves from this potentially deadly disease.

With nearly 250 million people now recommended to receive a yearly influenza vaccine, the American Lung Association warns that most people don't realize they need to be vaccinated. Influenza immunization rates among adults and children fall short of public health goals every year despite government recommendations. On average, 36,000 Americans die and 226,000 people are hospitalized each year due to influenza and its complications.

Vaccination typically begins in October and can continue through March. In most seasons, influenza virus activity peaks in February or March, so vaccination throughout the entire influenza season is beneficial and recommended, as it only takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to take effect.

"Despite serious health risks associated with influenza, many people just don't see themselves as needing a flu shot," said Norman H. Edelman, M.D., American Lung Association chief medical officer. "With more than four out of five Americans now recommended to be immunized, the public needs to take flu season seriously and heed government recommendations.

"People in higher risk categories such as those 50 years and older in addition to people with chronic health problems such as asthma, diabetes, COPD and heart disease must make getting vaccinated a priority," he added.

Recent studies suggest that people 70 years of age and older who receive the influenza vaccine may not develop the same level of protection against the virus as their younger counterparts. The American Lung Association advises that older people still get vaccinated, because the vaccine likely provides at least some protection and is associated with few side effects.

The lung association also recommends that all school-age children - ages 5-18 - be vaccinated, since this segment of the population is among the main transmitters of the flu virus. Studies have shown that vaccinating school-age children is likely to be effective at preventing influenza in populations at high risk for complications associated with the flu, especially older people.

"Parents should also keep in mind that children 6 to 59 months of age are considered a high-risk group and should be vaccinated as should women who are pregnant during flu season," Edelman said.

Prices for the flu shot vary throughout the U.S. and can cost up to $20. Vaccination is often covered by insurance. Individuals should contact their local health provider or health department for more information.