Flu Facts:
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. Every year in the United States, on average, 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; and about 36,000 people die from flu. Some people, such as the elderly, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. should receive the flu vaccine?
- Adults 50 years and older with or without chronic medical conditions
- Residents of long-term care facilities
- Children 6 months to 18 years (Children younger than 9 years must receive two doses of influenza vaccine. Please consult a pediatrician)
- Pregnant women
- Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children younger than six months
- Healthcare personnel who provide direct patient care
Who should not receive the vaccine?
There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. These include:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past
- People who developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of getting the influenza vaccine
- Children younger than 6 months
- People who have moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated after symptoms lessen
When should I get vaccinated?
October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Influenza season can begin as early as October and last as late as May.
- All the viruses in the vaccine are killed so they cannot infect anyone.
- The vaccine will begin to provide protective effects after one to two weeks, but will not protect all persons inoculated from the flu. About 70 to 90 percent of healthy people who get the flu vaccine are completely protected against the flu. The other 10 to 30 percent have greatly lessened symptoms of the flu if they contract it.
- Side effects of the vaccine are generally inconsequential in adults and occur at low frequency.
- The most frequent side effect of vaccination is soreness around the vaccination site for up to two days. This occurs in less than one-third of those vaccinated.
- A cool compress applied at 15-minute intervals should relieve soreness.
- There is a new strain of influenza every year.
- Influenza vaccine is covered by Medicare Part B.
If you have any questions about the seasonal flu and or H1N1 please visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ for more details about symptoms and prevention.