Protecting Yourself Against Influenza

We all are faces of influenza and should be immunized every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the support of leading health experts, recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older should be immunized each year.

The flu vaccination is safe and effective, and the best way to help prevent influenza and its complications. The American Lung Association urges you and your loved ones to get a flu shot every flu season. You should get your flu shot as soon as it becomes available in the late summer or early fall. Even if you didn’t get vaccinated early in the influenza season, immunization into the spring or as long as the influenza virus is in circulation can be beneficial. This is because in many seasons, influenza activity doesn’t peak until winter or early spring. In fact, as long as influenza viruses are in circulation, it’s a good idea to get a flu shot. For most adults, the vaccine can help protect against influenza within 2 weeks.

For any questions and/or concerns…make sure to talk to your health-care provider. They will be able to provide you with the proper information about the importance of influenza immunization.

Even with the information we do know, unfortunately influenza immunization rates fall far short of public health goals every year. Even among those at the highest risk, which is very scary. Getting vaccinated against the flu each year is one of the most important steps people can take to help protect themselves from flu and its complications. NOTE…even healthy people need a flu shot. This is how they can stay healthy and help prevent the spread of flu to others.

Groups at higher risk of developing influenza-related complications include…

*People 50 years of age and older

*Children 6 months-18 years of age

*Pregnant women

*People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, diabetes, and others

*Residents of long-term care facilities and nursing homes

Now if you don’t fall within one of these categories, that doesn’t mean you’re safe. Additionally those who come into close contact with high-risk groups (those listed below) should get a flu shot, not only to help protect themselves against influenza, but also to help avoid spreading the disease to more vulnerable populations.

High Risk Groups include…

*Household contacts and caregivers of anyone in a high-risk group, including contacts such as parents, siblings, grandparents, babysitters, and child-care providers

*Health-care personnel

Note: Children younger than 9 years of age may need 2 doses approximately 1 month apart, depending on their influenza vaccination history.

Some people should not get the vaccine or should first talk with their health-care provider. These include people those with severe allergies to eggs, those who have had a severe allergic reaction to a past influenza vaccination and children younger than 6 months of age. This is because no vaccination is licensed yet for this age group.

Again…if you have any questions, ask your healthcare provider. They’ll have the correct answers and in most case it’ll be, “it’s time to get you the flu shot”.

Contact HCC Healthcare Consultants - Pharmacy Business Solutions for help with pharmacy startup, help with pharmacy performance and efficiency or pharmacy business management service.