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Are Flu Shots Recommended?
from:The following article on flu shots covers a topic that always moves to center stage--especially in the winter months. If you've been thinking you need to brush up on it, here's your opportunity.
The single best way to inhibit the spread of flu is to get inoculated every fall, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control. Every season a new vaccine is produced that includes strains of three different viruses, based on evaluations about which strains will circulate in the coming season. Our body begins to form specific antibodies which will intern provide us with protection from these viruses in about two weeks after getting immunized. That is why it is always recommended to get your shot early in the season.
Some of the people most prone to be effected by the flu bug include the elderly over age 65, younger children under the age of 6 months and anyone else who may have chronic health conditions. These include those who suffer with immunosuppressant, people with chronic heart condition or a lung condition with compromised respiratory functions and even those currently on aspirin therapy. A priority list compiled by the CDC who are advised to get their influenza vaccination first, are comprised of people aged 65 and older with or without chronic health conditions, those who are aged 2-49 years and suffer from chronic health conditions, very young children aged 6-23 months, women who are pregnant and especially residents of long-term health care facilities. Another large group of the population, also placed on this list, are those who work with or care for anyone of the above and should also receive their inoculation early. These include health care providers, day care workers or family members who come in contact with those most prone because they can reduce their chances of contracting the influenza and possibly passing it on to others. When you take into account that over 90 million people in the US alone get a flu shot each year, you begin to understand the importance of this immunization program and the role the medical industry plays.
The nasal spray and injection methods are the two types of influenza vaccine presently available but are made and used differently. The most popular is the injectable method and it is given with a needle in upper arm. The vaccine contains an inactivated or killed virus, which may be given out to those above the age of 6 months whether they are or are not experiencing chronic health conditions. A live virus is used in the production of the nasal spray type and should only be administrated to healthy persons between the ages of 5 & 49 and is not recommended for women who are pregnant. A list of people who are not advised to receive the flu vaccine include those that may have experienced an allergic reaction before, are presently allergic to chicken eggs, have developed the Guillain-Barre syndrome within six weeks of being inoculated in the past, are under six months of age or have a fever and are suffering from an active viral or bacterial infection.
There are some people who are nervous about the side effects of having a flu shot but reports indicate that they are usually mild with most lasting for only a couple of days. Both injected and nasal spray immunizations may cause some flu-like symptoms that can include redness and/or swelling at the injection site, a low-grade fever, muscle soreness and aching, a runny nose, nausea and sometimes vomiting and sore throat. These symptoms are by no means as terrible as experiencing the actual flu, which for some can also lead to more serious health issues. So making the choice to get a flu shot and maybe experiencing some mild side effects maybe far more favorable than actually coming down with a full blown version of the flu bug, a seriously uncomfortable and incapacitating time as anyone who has experienced it can remember. Also one must be considerate of all the others he or she could be infecting, spreading the disease to those who are at risk. Reports have stated that with the introduction of flu shots the number of influenza cases and deaths have decreased drastically in the high risk groups including those 65 years of age and older and children under 6 years old.
Please remember that your family doctor is the best one to give proper advice about your health and should always be consulted with when making any decisions about getting an inoculation.
Knowing more about your choices and how they effect you helps cut down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about flu shots when talking with your Doctor, you should have nothing to worry about.
Flu Vaccines News
Flu vaccines still available (The Savage Pacer)
Flu vaccines for all ages, both pediatric and adult, are still available through the Scott County Department of Public Health. Walk-in immunization clinics are offered at the Workforce Development Center, 792 Canterbury Road S., Suite A-160, Shakopee, every Monday afternoon from 1 to 5 p.m. read more
Read more...UCD to give out flu shots as practice for an epidemic (The Sacramento Bee)
To practice for an epidemic or disaster, UC Davis will use a large meeting hall Wednesday to quickly give out flu shots or a nasal spray vaccine. The vaccines are being offered free to University of California, Davis, students and employees partly as a way to help campus emergency officials practice for a potential disaster in which treatments may have to be distributed rapidly. "It will be ...
Read more...Flu shots available at UC Davis (The Sacramento Bee)
To prepare for epidemics or disasters, UC Davis will use a large meeting hall to Wednesday to quickly give out flu shots or a nasal spray vaccine. "It will be almost like grocery lines," with people answering a few questions then moving on to the next step, said Cheryl Boney, Yolo County's deputy director for public health programs. The vaccines are being offered free to UC Davis students ...
Read more...Free Flu and Pneumonia Immunizations For Pre-School Students (WBGO-FM Newark)
(Newark, 12/2/2008) New Jersey is the first state to require flu and pneumonia immunizations for children six months to six years. City officials launched a program to give free vaccines at the Metropolitan Baptist Church where some pre-school students got doses of needle-free vaccines.
Read more...College Students Also Need Flu Vaccine (ABC News)
A new study shows college students may benefit the most from flu vaccines.
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