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Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Fall 2010) |
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Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Fall 2010) |
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| TOPIC: What's New With Flu |
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Flu season is just around the corner. Here’s what you need to know. This year’s vaccine includes H1N1, but it also protects against two other completely different flu strains. So even if you’ve already had the H1N1 vaccine, you still should get a flu shot this season. For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending flu vaccination for everyone age 6 months and older. Infants younger than 6 months can’t have flu vaccine, which makes it important for their parents and household members to get it. As always, vaccination is especially critical for certain high-risk persons and the people who live with or care for them. These include young children; pregnant women; people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease; and people 65 years and older. This year a new "extra-strength" flu vaccine will be an option for people over age 65. The elderly don’t respond to flu vaccine as well as younger people, so this new high-dose vaccine is designed to boost immune response. If high-dose vaccine is not available from your vaccine provider, a regular flu shot is still recommended. Finally, don’t worry about timing. Get the flu vaccine as soon as you can; it will protect you through the whole season. |