Flu Vaccinations
Copy Last April, the H1N1 flu virus (originally called the swine flu) caused great concern worldwide. Reports of illness from the H1N1 virus continued in the U.S. through the summer, normally a flu-free season. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is concerned that the H1N1 virus, combined with the regular (or seasonal) flu, could cause a severe flu season this winter.
The best way to protect yourself and your family is for those in the high risk categories to be vaccinated.
First, people must not forget about the risks of regular (or seasonal) flu, which causes 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations annually. Recommendations are that vaccines be given in the early fall to children ages 6 months up to 18 their 19th birthday, pregnant women, and people ages 50+ as well as people who have chronic medical conditions, live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, or live with or care for people who have a high risk for complications from the flu.
New developments are happening every day with the H1N1 vaccine, however, at the time of this writing a vaccine was not yet available. According to the CDC, a H1NI vaccine is currently being developed and could be available in the fall.
Talk to your physician and visit www.flu.gov for the latest guidelines and information about both the HIN1 and seasonal flu.