Flu season 1999 isn’t far away—with all the chills, fever, aches and pains to keep you off your feet and miserable for days on end. But it doesn’t have to be this way, because the flu is a vaccine-preventable disease in the U.S.
In studies of healthy young adults, the flu shot has been 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing illness. The only type of flu vaccine licensed in the U.S. is made from killed flu viruses, which cannot cause infection. That means receiving the vaccine will not cause people to get the flu.
The best time to get a flu shot (if you haven’t already) is right now, because flu season usually peaks between late December and early March. It takes about one to two weeks after vaccination for the antibody to develop and provide protection.
The flu vaccine is updated every year to include the most current flu virus strains. Because these viruses continually change from year to year, it’s important to get a flu shot every year. This year’s flu vaccine includes A/Beijing, A/Sydney, and B/Yamanashi flu antigens—covering the three main strains the Center for Disease Control thinks will be the most prevalent and most deadly this season.
Who should get a flu shot? It’s a good idea for anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu to get a shot, but it’s especially important to be vaccinated if you fall into a high-risk group. High-risk groups include:
Adults age 65+
Healthcare personnel
Volunteers who work with high-risk patients
People with chronic diseases (heart, lungs or kidneys; diabetes; immunosuppression; severe forms of anemia)
Residents of nursing homes
Children/teenagers receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
Check with a doctor before getting the flu vaccine if:
You’re allergic to eggs
You’re allergic to thimerosal (a mercury derivative)
You’ve ever been paralyzed with Guillain Barre Syndrome
You may be, or are pregnant.
People who are ill and have a fever of 101.5 or higher should delay vaccination until the fever/other symptoms go away.
# # #
Sidebar:
The St. Thomas Community Health Clinic, located at Roy L. Schneider Hospital, is offering flu shots Monday – Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., for a cost of $15. For more information, call the Community Health Clinic at 774-7477.
