Flu Shots...Important Information

      

With flu season rapidly approaching...We want to provide some information to our readers about this year's flu shots to answer some important questions.

Flu shots are recommended for all children (and ALL adults) over the age of 6 months.  The flu can be a serious illness in any child and in the elderly, regardless of their previous health status.  If you have a child under 6 months, the best way to protect them from the flu is to get yourself immunized.  Unfortunately, the most devastating effects of the flu can be seen in infants, so be sure to protect yourself and your baby.

Essentially, the only TRUE contraindication to the flu shot is an egg allergy (or a history of Gullian Barre Syndrome within 6 weeks of a flu shot, though this is RARE).  The intramuscular vaccine is manufactured inside of eggs, so egg allergy means no vaccine and even more frequent hand washing.

Though the H1N1 pandemic officially ended this summer, there is still a risk for this type of flu.  This year's flu shot is a COMBINATION of the H1N1 shot and the seasonal flu vaccine.  Though there were (unwarranted) concerns early last year about the safety of H1N1 vaccine, millions and millions of doses were given last year with no increase in adverse events reported.

For kids:  Who needs what and when...

< 6 MONTHS		NO SHOT
6 MONTHS-8 YEARS	NO PREVIOUS SEASONAL FLU SHOT	2 SHOTS
	PREVIOUS SEASONAL FLU SHOT, NO H1N1 SHOT	2 SHOTS
	PREVIOUS SEASONAL FLU SHOT, AT LEAST 1 DOSE OF H1N1 SHOT	1 SHOT
>9 YEARS	REGARDLESS OF PREVIOUS IMMUNIZATION STATUS	1 SHOT

 There is even more recent data proving that there is NO association of autism with vaccine preservatives (thimerosal).  However, there is plenty of preservative free vaccine available.  All vaccines for children under 36 months is preservative free.  The preservative free vaccine is in the individually stored syringes and does not need to be drawn up by the nurse.  

We strongly recommend a seasonal flu shot for all of our adult patients as well, regardless of previous health status.  

The best time to get the flu shot is EARLY IN THE SEASON.  The immunity will last well beyond this flu season and there is no sense in being unprotected early in the season.   And don't forget the importance of hand washing!

Click here for more information from our friends at the CDC.

We HAVE received our shipment of INFLUENZA VACCINE and our fridge is stocked with immunizations for both adults and children.  The intramuscular vaccine is available and this is a KILLED form of the flu virus.  You CANNOT get sick from the flu shot.

Stay healthy!!