Flu Season Approaches
Thursday, September 02, 2010
For those who are interested or concerned about the upcoming flu season and where to get vaccinated, here is some useful information. Remember that there are usually also several flu clinics (even a drive-through has been done in several past years) so watch for more information to come.
From CNN - Five important things to know about this years’ flu:
All people 6 months and older need to be vaccinated
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends the influenza vaccination for all people ages 6 months and older. This is a change from previous guidance, which stressed the need for vaccination for a few groups including the elderly, the chronically ill and women who were planning to become pregnant. The advisory committee says that with the expanded recommendations they hope to minimize confusion about who should and should not get the annual vaccine.
Adults will only need one flu vaccine this year
Unlike last year, when both a seasonal flu vaccine and an H1N1 flu vaccine were recommended, this year only one vaccine is necessary.
Each year, government health officials make predictions on which influenza viruses will be the most prominent to circulate, and a vaccine is created to combat those specific strands. The vaccine approved for this year protects against the H1N1 virus that circulated in 2009, as well as H3N2 and an influenza B virus. The CDC answers several questions about the 2010-2011 inactivated flu vaccine on their website.
Some children need two doses of the flu vaccine
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children between ages 6 months and 9 years who have never been vaccinated, or who received only one dose of the H1N1 flu shot last year, should have a minimum of two doses this season. On the Healthy Children website, the AAP provides information for parents to help you determine the number of influenza vaccine doses your child needs.
Flu vaccines are available now in most locations
Flu manufacturers began shipping doses of the flu shot and nasal spray in August, and many pharmacies have already begun offering them. Here is a comparison of prices for some national pharmacy chains where flu shots are currently available.
Rite Aid pharmacies offer the seasonal flu shot for $24.99 and many insurance plans cover the cost of the shots.
Walgreens is offering seasonal flu shots for $29.99 and the FluMist Intranasal Spray for $34.99.
CVS is offering seasonal flu shots for $29.95. The cost is covered by many insurance plans.
Wal-Mart offers the seasonal flu shot for $24.00, or the co-pay as designated by your insurer.
Target pharmacies are offering the seasonal flu vaccine for $24.00, and some clinic locations also will offer the nasal spray for $36.
A Flu Clinic Locator from the American Lung Association will be available in late September to help you find local clinic in your area.
A new high-strength vaccine is available for people ages 65+
This year an alternative vaccine that provides a higher dosage will be available for people ages 65 and older. Fluzone High-Dose, an inactivated influenza vaccine produced by the drug manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur, was approved by the FDA in December 2009.
“Elderly people have less responsive immune systems,” explains Edelman. “The higher dose induces a stronger immune response, and provides better protection for this age group.”
More detailed information about this vaccine option is available on the CDC website.
For the full article, visit: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/09/02/flu.guide/index.html?hpt=C1