The [2012] flu season arrived four weeks early, was more intense than expected and resulted in the deaths of more than 110 children in the United States. The severity of the flu, as well as the intense media coverage, caused a high demand and subsequent shortage of flu shots.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that every person older than six months be vaccinated as soon as the vaccine becomes available … Vaccination is especially important for parents, caregivers, and other adults who live with or come in close contact with children at high risk of getting very sick if they get the flu. Children at high risk include babies younger than 6 months (these babies are too young to be vaccinated), children 6 months through 5 years of age (but especially younger than two years of age), and children or adolescents of any age who have certain chronic health problems. People with certain health conditions, like asthma (even if controlled by medication), lung disease, diabetes, and heart disease, may have a higher chance of developing flu-related complications. “Making sure parents and children are vaccinated every year not only helps create a circle of protection around families—it also helps slow the spread of the flu throughout the community,” says Dr. Jamie Loehr of the American Academy of Family Physicians. “Families should plan to get vaccinated against the flu as soon as vaccine is available in the community.”
[It’s not too late. Get you flu shot today to protect yourself and your community.]
Article Courtesy of Byrd-Watson Pharmacy Archives
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