Flu vaccine available at the Health Department

Discussion

December 21, 2005

Anonymous The Suwannee Democrat Wed Dec 21, 2005, 02:49 PM EST

The Suwannee County Health Department has been receiving a significant number of questions concerning the flu vaccine. Here's some answers to the more common concerns.

Do you still have flu vaccine? Yes. However, we do recommend calling the Suwannee County Health Department before coming in to ensure that we have vaccine remaining. It will also take less time to get your flu shot if we have a time appointed for you.

Aren't there two kinds of flu vaccine? Yes. The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine (it contains no live virus) that is approved for people 6 months of age and older. This is the vaccine we have at Suwannee County Health Department.

Who should get the flu shot? The CDC guidelines are as follows People at high risk for complications from the flu: People 65 years and older; People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house those with long-term illnesses; Adults and children 6 months and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma; Adults and children 6 months and older who needed regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicines or by

infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS]); Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy. (Children given aspirin while they have influenza are at risk of Reye syndrome.); Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season; All children 6 to 23 months of age; People with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions (that is, a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other nerve or muscle disorders.) 2.) People 50 to 64 years of age. Nearly one-third of people 50 to 64 years of age in the United States have one or more medical conditions that place them at increased risk for serious flu complications. 3.) People who can transmit flu to others at high risk for complications. Any person in close contact with someone in a high-risk group (see above) should get vaccinated. This includes all health-care workers, caregivers of children 6 to 23 months of age, and close contacts of people 65 years and older.

Can I get sick from the vaccine? No. The flu shot is made from three types of killed influenza virus which cannot infect you and give you the flu. Occasionally, a patient will experience side effects, but these tend to be very mild. these may include soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, low grade fever and aches. These side effects are what some people mistakenly refer to when they say "That shot gave me the flu." This is not the flu, but usually a result of your immune system responding to the vaccine and building your immunity to the flu. If present, these symptoms will typically resolve in one to two days.

Why do I need a flu shot every year? Viruses that cause the flu change frequently and develop new types or strains. Because of this, having the flu or getting the flu shot in a previous year may not protect you against infection this year.

Is it too late to get the flu shot? No. In Florida, our peak flu season is the middle of February. A vaccination in November or December should still provide you with protection from influenza.

If you have further questions, or wish to make an appointment, please give us a call at 362-2708, and we will be happy to help you.

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