beneficial as it seems. and the government is touting the effectiveness of flu shots. new numbers from the cdc show that getting vaccinated led to 79,000 fewer hospitalizations last flu season compared to the year before. the cdc also says the flu shot prevented nearly seven million americans from getting sick last year. the wintry weather leaves much of the country under a layer of snow and ice, people are being warned to proceed with caution. and we re not just talking about getting behind the wheel. ron claiborne has key tips. reporter: tis the season for slipping, sliding, and falling. with so many streets and sidewalks, parks and yards turned into virtual hockey ri rinks, hundreds have been sent to the hospital with injuries from falling on ice or hard-packed snow. the most common things are going to be ankle injuries, wrist injuries, knee and elbow. reporter: there are ways to at least minimize your risk of falling on ice. walk cautiously with knees bent. keep your han