Influenza shots are coming soon
September 15, 2007 by Kenneth Carlson, MD
Fall is here and that means it is time to get ready for flu season. In recent years influenza has come to town around December. Respiratory flu causes severe respiratory infection that is the hardest on young children and those with chronic medical problems.
If you have a scheduled appointment already in the next couple of months be sure to remind your nurse at your visit to get a flu shot. If you don’t have an upcoming appointment, take advantage of our Saturday flu shot clinics.
Join us for our first of the season walk-in Saturday flu shot clinic on October 13th from 9 AM to 12 noon. We will continue these EVERY saturday until we run out of vaccine. This is available to patients previously registered with our clinic.
Who needs a flu shot?
While anyone can benefit from reducing their chance of getting influenza infection the following groups are higher risk and it is recommended they get protected this year.
- all children aged 6--59 months (i.e., 6 months--4 years)
- all persons aged >50 years;
- children and adolescents (aged 6 months--18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who therefore might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection; women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
- adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus); adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV);
- adults and children who have any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration; and residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.
- Persons Who Live With or Care for Persons at High Risk for Influenza-Related Complications
More information
Audio file reviewing common information regarding influenza vaccine
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