Flu Immunizations
Where to get flu vaccine
ABOUT INFLUENZA
Influenza (flu) is caused by a virus that invades the nose, throat and lungs. It can be easily spread from one person to another through the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs or talks. Flu can also be spread when a person touches a surface that has influenza virus on it (doorknobs, hands, computer key boards, etc.) then touches their nose or mouth.
Flu is very different from a cold. It is much more serious. For some people, infection with flu can lead to complications that range from sinus and ear infections to bronchitis and pneumonia. Flu can make chronic medical conditions worse. Flu is a major cause of illness and death, leading to an average of about 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations in the United States yearly. More information about flu, its prevention and treatment.
PREVENTION
Vaccination
Vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu. Almost everyone can benefit from flu vaccination. People who should get flu vaccine every year are:
Children from 6 months to up to their 19th birthday
Pregnant women
People 50 years of age and older
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
Household contacts and caregivers of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Healthcare workers
Children aged 6 months through 8 years old who are getting their first flu vaccine will need to get a booster shot one month after their first shot.
It takes about 2 weeks to be protected against flu after getting the vaccine. In the U.S., influenza usually occurs from November to March, though this can vary from year to year. The best time to get flu shots is in October and November, although vaccination can continue into the flu season. There are two types of flu vaccines – the flu shot and the nasal spray vaccine.
Flu Shots
The flu shot is made from inactivated (killed) virus. The flu shot is made from the three strains of flu virus identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as those most likely to cause flu that season. The flu shot must be repeated every year because new flu viruses circulate each flu season. The flu shot cannot cause flu illness.
Nasal spray vaccine
There is a shot-free option to protect against the flu. FluMist is a vaccine that is sprayed into the nostrils. It can be given to healthy individuals from ages 2-49. FluMist is made from live, attenuated (weakened) virus that helps the body develop antibodies that fight the flu. The strains of virus used in FluMist are the same as those used in the flu shot. The nasal spray vaccine cannot cause flu illness. More information about FluMist.
Antiviral Drugs There are drugs that can be used to fight the viruses that cause the flu. These drugs can make the symptoms of flu less severe and shorten the time of illness. Treatment with these drugs must begin early in the illness to be effective. Antiviral drugs are prescribed by a doctor. Immunization against flu is still the best prevention. More information about antiviral drugs.
Handwashing
Handwashing is one of the best things people can do to prevent the spread of flu and many other communicable illnesses.
Rinsing hands under water is not enough to get them clean. Use soap and water to rub the all surfaces of the hands (backs of hands, palms, under and around fingernails, in between fingers, and wrists) for 15 seconds. Time and friction are the key ingredients to effectively remove dirt and germs from the hands. Rinse hands well and use a paper towel to dry. Turn off the faucet with the paper towel.
The times hands are washed are as important as how hands are washed. It is important to wash hands:
- After using the bathroom
- After coughing, sneezing or blowing the nose
- Before starting food preparation and at key times during food preparation (for example, after handling raw meat or eggs)
- After changing a diaper or helping a child use the toilet
- After working outside
- After handling pets and their waste
- After handling money
- Whenever hands look, smell or feel dirty.
It is especially important to wash hands well when you are sick or are caring for someone who is sick.
Updated 10-4-08 mr