The 2010-2011 flu season is here and Floridians need to be prepared by getting their flu shots.
According to the CDC, last years H1N1(swine flu) vaccine was poorly accepted by both the public and healthcare workers despite the fact that a pandemic had been declared. In several studies, the main reason cited was fear of side effects which actually almost never occurred, while in other studies, physicians stated the main reason was limited access to the vaccine, especially at the start of the pandemic.
Flu vaccine shipments for this year have already begun. The hope is that there will be plenty of vaccine available throughout the season and that patients and their doctors will take advantage of programs offering free or relatively inexpensive shots.
The 2010-2011 trivalent vaccine will protect against the 3 main viruses that researchers predict will cause the most illness – the 2009 swine flu A/H1N1), an A/H3N2 and an influenza B virus.
Because this year's seasonal vaccine will protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus, except for some children, most people will not need two different flu vaccines– another reason cited for refusing last year’s vaccine.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older who does not have any contraindications to vaccination, receive a yearly flu vaccine, beginning this flu season.
No vaccine is approved for children under age 6 months, since these children are too young to be vaccinated.
Children 6 months through 8 years of age should receive two doses of the 2010-2011 flu vaccine with at least a 4-week interval between shots unless they have received:
- At least one dose of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine last season; and
- At least one dose of seasonal flu vaccine prior to the 2009-2010 flu season or two doses of 2009-2010 seasonal flu vaccine.
If a child has fulfilled both of these requirements, they only need one flu vaccine.
Seniors 65 years of age and older have the option to get a standard dose of the 2010-2011 trivalent vaccine (15 mcg per strain) or a new vaccine called Fluzone High-Dose which delivers 60 mcg hemagglutinin antigen per strain.
There are several other new vaccines that can be given and patients should discuss those options with their physicians.
For example, a new inactivated flu vaccine, Agriflu, has been approved for people 18 years of age and older. Fluarix is now approved for use in those 3 years of age and older, while Afluria is available for use in those 9 years of age and older. High-risk children 5 through 8 years of age are recommended to receive Afluria ONLY if all other age-appropriate alternatives are unavailable.
While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, ACIP strongly recommends that certain groups get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk of developing flu-related complications. These include the following:
-Pregnant women;
- Children younger than 5, and especially children younger than 2 years;
- People 50 years of age and older;
-People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes;
- People with immunosuppression, whether due to illness or medications;
- People living in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities; and
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu including:
-Healthcare workers
-Household contacts of people at high risk for complications from the flu
-Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children under age 6 months
For further information: Click on this or this for flu information and updates
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