It's That Time of Year - Flu Shot Time!

Summarized by Robert W. Griffith, MD
October 19, 2006

We are grateful to the American Lung Association for providing this article and the Flu Clinic Locator. Robert Griffith, Editor.

The flu is a serious disease. Here are just three of the many frightening statistics available:

• Influenza and pneumonia together resulted in 64,847 deaths in 2003
• In 2004 influenza and pneumonia represented a cost of $37.5 billion to the US economy
• Influenza and pneumonia combined are the seventh leading cause of death among all Americans, and rank even higher among seniors over 65.

The best way to reduce the effects of influenza is through an annual flu shot. Influenza vaccines are safe and effective. Although mild side effects from vaccination are possible, a person cannot get flu from the vaccine.

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get immunized in December or even later. Different types of virus strains that cause influenza develop each year. Influenza vaccine is produced every year to match these specific strains and stop their ability to cause infection. Since the viruses that circulate often change each season, it is important to get vaccinated each year to have the best protection.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend an annual flu shot for people who have a high risk of developing complications from the virus and for those who are most likely to spread the virus to persons at risk. The target groups are:

• Adults and children with a chronic medical condition, such as heart disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a weakened immune system, and diabetes
• Children 6 months to 5 years of age
• Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin treatment
• Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
• Adults 50 years and older
• Household contacts and caregivers of anyone in a high-risk group, including children younger than 6 months of age who are too young to be vaccinated. This includes parents, grandparents, siblings, babysitters, and daycare providers.
• Residents of long-term care facilities and nursing homes
• Health-care workers who come in contact with patients

Note: Children under 9 years of age receiving an influenza vaccination for the first time need two doses approximately one month apart. Some people should not be vaccinated or should first talk with their physicians. These include: people with severe allergies to eggs; people who have had a severe allergic reaction to a past flu shot; and children younger than 6 months.

You can find a site close to home where you can get a flu shot. Type you USA zip code into the locator on our Home Page. For other countries, ask at your local Public Health Office.

Source

• American Lung Association: Flu Clinic Locator http://www.flucliniclocator.org/

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