Seasonal Flu Resource Center Blog
Mythbusters: Separating Flu Vaccine Fact from Fiction
Bloomberg Businessweek reported recently on a survey released by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) that found 43 percent of Americans do NOT plan to get vaccinated against flu this year, a startling number considering the focus H1N1 put on the flu virus last season.
The NFID also asked those surveyed why they planned to skip vaccination. Many of the reasons given included common myths about the flu and the flu vaccine. We took a look at some of the reasons people gave for skipping flu shots this season and sorted through some of the fact and fiction of flu. [Read More]
What You Need to Know About the Flu Vaccine for Your Children
Each year, otherwise healthy children die from the flu. Since 2003, reports of influenza-related pediatric deaths to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have ranged from 46 to 153 annually and last year’s H1N1 pandemic caused over 340 deaths in children. Children under the age of two have the highest risk of severe flu complications and every year, an average of 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized from influenza complications.1 Don’t let your child be one of these statistics! Protect your child from this very preventable illness with a flu vaccine. [Read More]
Flu Clinics Go Social
Maxim Health Systems, a division of Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc., has created several online tools to educate the public on flu season. These resources, including the Flu Blog, the Online Flu Shot Locator Widget, Flu Shot E-mail and Text Message Reminders, and Flu Shot Reminder E-Cards, were developed to help remind and empower the public to make healthy and informed choices during the 2010 flu season. [Read More]
Obesity may put you at greater risk of flu
Many of us have heard about the commonly known conditions that put someone at a higher risk for developing complications from the flu, such as diabetes, heart disease, and pregnancy. But there‘s another one out there that many people may not realize: obesity. [Read More]
Can you afford to miss work this winter because of the flu?
Compared to last year, the current media hype surrounding the flu seems relatively non-existent. But don’t let that deceive you as we head into this flu season. Now is not the time to let down your guard, either personally or professionally. [Read More]
What Should Cancer Patients Know About the Flu?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone age six months and older receives a flu shot, especially people that are at high risk of developing flu-related complications. This includes people who have immune system problems caused either by disease (e.g. breast cancer or lymphoma). What else is important for cancer patients and survivors to know about the flu this season? [Read More]
Herd Immunity: Protecting your Family and Local Community from the Flu
The outbreak of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, in Texas, California, and other states this year highlights the significant importance of widespread vaccination coverage.
This brings up the concept of ‘herd immunity’. Herd immunity is an important part of protecting the community against illnesses such as pertussis or influenza. [Read More]
This year’s flu shot composed of multiple strains, as always
Given the prevalence of H1N1 last season, there have been a lot of mixed messages floating around regarding the composition of this season’s flu vaccine. Here is the story: The 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine consists of protection against the H1N1 strain, plus two additional influenza strains that have been identified as the primary circulating influenza strains for this year. [Read More]
Flu Clinics Open Nationwide Today
Maxim Health Systems (MHS) announced today that its more than 25,000 flu shot clinics nationwide are open. Maxim’s flu vaccine program provides flu shot clinics at convenient retail locations, such as pharmacies, supermarkets, and other public venues. [Read More]
Pregnancy + Flu = Not a Good Equation
Most people would agree- the flu is not fun. Period. High fevers, chills, headaches, extreme exhaustion, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches….yes… these symptoms of the flu do not add up to a good time. They can be even more intense and dangerous to you if you are expecting this flu season. [Read More]