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RELATED TOPICS:
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Seasonal Flu Shots
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Flu Prevention Tips
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Pneumonia
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Flu Information and Flu Shots
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[page updated
09/12/2014]
TOPICS:
What is the flu? |
Why get vaccinated |
Who should get vaccinated
| Vaccine info
Flu prevention |
Pneumonia vaccine
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Click for info on when and where
to get a flu shot.
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Why should I get a flu shot?
- The flu vaccine is the
best defense
against the flu.
Every year, the vaccine
protects against prevalent seasonal flu viruses.
- Flu season is roughly
October through March. Different strains of
the flu virus circulate each year, so it's important to get
a flu shot each year for your best protection.
- See below for further information about the flu vaccine.
For where and when to get a flu shot,
visit our Flu Shots page.
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Seasonal Flu (Influenza) - a Serious Respiratory Disease
You should know:
The flu is not the same as the common cold or
an intestinal illness
- Colds usually are associated with an upper respiratory
infection. They last about a week and are accompanied by a cough and
a running nose. People with a cold can function in their everyday
roles.
- However, seasonal flu (influenza or
"the flu") is a serious, contagious, respiratory disease.
- It
can lead to hospitalization and sometimes death. Well known for its
fever, body aches and cough, the flu is caused by a virus. It does
not respond to antibiotics. People with the flu are generally not
able to function for several days to two weeks.
- The flu affects people differently based on their body’s ability
to fight infection. Even healthy children and adults can get very
sick from the flu and spread it to friends, co-workers, and family.
- There are anti-viral medications that your health care provider
can prescribe to reduce the severity and duration of the flu. This
is especially important for those at risk for complications. These
prescribed medications must be taken within 1-2 days of symptoms.
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Getting vaccinated is the single best way to protect yourself
& your family
- Flu vaccines must be repeated every flu season. This is
because different strains circulate every flu season. Additionally,
the vaccine has a little different composition each year. This makes
it effective against the flu strains that are causing illness.
- The H1N1 flu virus that caused a world-wide pandemic in 2009 has
been the most common circulating flu virus. The 2014-2015 seasonal flu vaccine protects against at least three common
flu strains, including H1N1.
- People who get vaccinated against seasonal flu can expect to
have immunity within two weeks. The protection you get from the
vaccine will continue throughout the flu season.
- Florida’s flu season usually peaks in January/February. It
can continue into March, but may last later. However, the last two
flu seasons peaked in December. Therefore, it is important to
get vaccinated early in the flu season.
- Each county has a system in place to monitor flu activity in the
community. DOH-Sarasota's includes a review of data related to hospital ER
visits and complaints of flu-like symptoms among students visiting
school health rooms.
- During the last flu season, most hospitalizations and severe illness occurred in
children under 5, adults over 65, and pregnant women. In Florida, there was an increase
over the previous year in hospitalizations among pregnant
women who were not vaccinated.
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Who should get vaccinated?
- Everyone six
months old and older should be vaccinated, according to the CDC
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
- Typically, children under age 5 and adults 65 years of age and
older are the two groups most likely to suffer complications from
the flu.
- Pregnant women can suffer a miscarriage if they get the flu.
Getting a flu shot is completely safe anytime during pregnancy and
is strongly recommended by the CDC.
- Individuals (regardless of age) with certain health conditions
(asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune system and other
health issues) are at high risk for flu-related complications.
- Since babies under 6 months are too young to get a flu shot,
all members of their households and close contacts should get vaccinated. This
includes child care providers and grandparents. This protects the infants by preventing those around them from getting
ill.
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Flu vaccine info
Flu vaccines for children
- Children younger than 9 years of age who receive a flu
vaccination for the first time will need two doses of vaccine given
at least four weeks apart for full protection.
- Others in this age group may only need one dose of the flu
vaccine this year if they:
- Were vaccinated against the flu in 2010 or after,
or
- Were vaccinated with both the H1N1 and seasonal flu shots in
2009.
Nasal spray and intradermal flu vaccines
- The nasal spray flu vaccine is an option for healthy children
who are at least two years old. It is also recommended for healthy
adults up to age 50. This form of the vaccine is not given to those who
are pregnant or who have asthma.
- The intradermal flu vaccine, using a needle that is 90 percent
shorter than the ones used for traditional flu shots, is available
for people ages 18 to 49. However, it is not available at
DOH-Sarasota.
Fluzone High-Dose Flu Vaccine
- Recommended for people over age 65
years and over
As people age, their immune system’s function tends to decrease. This
makes older adults not only more susceptible to infections, but also
less responsive to the standard-dose flu vaccination. The CDC’s Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices has included the Fluzone High-Dose
vaccine in
their flu vaccine recommendations for adults 65 years of age
and older. Talk with your doctor about getting the Fluzone High Dose
Vaccine, which provides a higher dose of vaccine and may provide greater
immunity in those over age 65. This is a payable benefit through Medicare Part B. For
additional information, contact your health care provider.
More information - Flu Vaccine Types
Info for the 2014-2015 influenza season from the CDC:
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Flu Prevention
In addition to getting a vaccination (flu shot), you can help protect
yourself against the flu by following these simple steps:
- Wash your hands
often with soap or sanitizer.
- Cover your coughs
and sneezes with the inside of your elbow or a tissue, not your bare hand.
- Stay at home when
you are sick. Keep sick children home. Stay home until free from
fever at least 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing
medicine).
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Pneumonia Vaccine
What is pneumonia? Should I get a pneumonia shot?
Pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening illness that may
arise as a complication resulting from a flu infection. Ask your
health care provider if the pneumonia vaccine is right for you.
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