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Posted October 11, 2010 | Filed in Flu Shots, Flu Tips, Risk/Priority Groups
After a long hot summer, fall is here. And the fall/winter season also means cold and flu season
In 2009, with the emergence of the first global influenza pandemic in more than 40 years, organizations and businesses were preparing for the worst, fearing the possibility of widespread illness, substantial absenteeism, and other business disruptions. 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.
Despite the fact that the peak of flu season does not typically occur until January or February, and the uncertainties around how bad this flu season will be, we do know one thing for sure- that the flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and those around you. According to a recent post by Dr. Paul Biddinger* on the Harvard Business Review’s “Your Health at Work” blog, getting your shot is the most important thing you can do for yourself, your co-workers, family, and friends. This is because it is possible to transmit the flu for one or two days before you actually start feeling sick, and therefore the time you could unknowingly spread the virus to those around you. It is best to get your flu shot earlier rather than later because your body needs time to develop antibodies in preparation for the peak season, as well as your best protection against an early arrival of flu season. As of October 7th, 2010 the CDC has lab confirmed cases of influenza from each of the three strains included in the seasonal flu vaccine.
The more people who get vaccinated the better it is for your family, workplace, and community. Many companies offer employee vaccination programs, making it easy for you to conveniently receive your flu shot right at work. If your company doesn’t have an employee vaccination program, urge your employer to get one to make it easier for you and your coworkers to get the flu shot. (This video and this article could help you in giving them the 411 on Flu in the Workplace.) Remember, it isn’t good for you, your co-workers, or your employer if you are going to work sick.
So as you get ready for the fall season, remember —one simple flu shot will give you the best possible protection against the flu. Get yours today-find a convenient location now at www.findaflushot.com.
* Dr. Paul D. Biddinger, a practicing emergency physician, is the Associate Director of the Center for Public Health Preparedness at the Harvard School of Public Health and the Medical Director for Emergency Preparedness at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Posted October 7, 2010 | Filed in CDC Alerts, Flu Shots, Flu Tips, Risk/Priority Groups
October is recognized annually as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month, national public service organizations such as The American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® work tirelessly to promote information on breast cancer awareness and prevention.
October also marks the time of year when influenza starts to become active and is the best time for people to receive their influenza vaccine. 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) or by medication (e.g., chemotherapy or radiation therapy)[1]
What else is important for cancer patients and survivors to know about the flu this season? Below is valuable information from The American Cancer Society specific to cancer patients and the flu.
- First, and perhaps the most sobering, is that both cancer patients and survivors are more likely to have serious problems from the flu, resulting in hospitalization or even death. While no one knows for sure if cancer patients and survivors are at greater risk for being infected with either H1N1 or seasonal flu, they are at higher risk for having serious problems from the flu. Therefore, even if cancer patients are at the same risk of getting the flu, once they contract either type of flu, they are at higher risk of complications.
- Second, if you or a loved one has had cancer in the past, there is a greater risk for having serious complications from the flu, even if you are now cancer-free.
- Third, the flu shot is recommended for most people with cancer. However, many people with cancer worry that the vaccine will make them sick or cause a reaction with other medicines they are taking. Talk to your doctor about this — he or she knows your situation best and can tell you if you should get the shot and when is the best time to get it.
- Finally, people with cancer should get the injectable flu shot and not the nasal spray vaccine. The flu shot is made from dead or inactive viruses, so it cannot make you sick. [2] The nasal spray vaccine is made from a live attenuated virus, and is currently not advised for high risk individuals.
To find a location near you that is offering flu shots, visit info.findaflushot.com.
Don’t forget to remind your friends and loved ones to get their flu vaccine this season. Send them a virtual card to remind them to get a flu shot.
Maxim Health Systems also provides frequent flu updates. Stay current by reading our blog or subscribing to our RSS feed.
[1] http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm
[2] http://info.findaflushot.com/blog/this-years-flu-shot-composed-of-multiple-strains-as-always
Posted October 4, 2010 | Filed in Flu Shots, Flu Tips, Risk/Priority Groups
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. Vaccination of children and adults can prevent pertussis, and experts say that the lack of vaccine coverage among adults in the US is one of the main reasons for the upsurge of this disease over the last two years[i].
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. Infants, who are too young to be immunized against the flu or whooping cough, are at particular risk. Because vaccinated people have antibodies that neutralize a virus, they are much less likely to transmit that virus to other people. Therefore, even people who have not been vaccinated, as well as those whose vaccinations may have become weakened over time, can often be shielded from the virus by ‘herd immunity’ because vaccinated people around them are not getting sick.
Health officials recommend that parents and caretakers receive their flu vaccines and pertussis booster shots to extend their immunity to these diseases and lower the risk to infants[ii]. Herd immunity is more effective as the percentage of people vaccinated increases. It is thought that on average approximately 90 percent of the people in the community must be protected by a vaccine to achieve herd immunity[iii]. People who are not immunized increase the chance that they and others will get sick.
This flu season, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has made a universal recommendation that everyone over the age of 6 months receive the seasonal flu shot. The flu vaccine is the best way to protect your family against the disease. Children less than 6 months of age are too young to be vaccinated against influenza, but they are at the greatest risk of hospitalization for it[iv]. Therefore, this year, and every year, in order to best protect yourself and those around you who are under the age of 6 months, at high risk for contracting influenza, or unable to get the vaccine, it is critical for you and any other household contacts or caregivers to get vaccinated.
Have you gotten your flu shot yet? Protect your family and everyone in your household from the flu, get your flu shot today and remind your friends to do the same!
[i] http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-09/bc-ic092810.php
[ii] http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-09/bc-ic092810.php
[iii] http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-herd-immunity.htm
[iv]http://www.preventchildhoodinfluenza.org/families/10_reasons_to_get_vaccinated_pediatric_flu_prevention.php
Posted September 13, 2010 | Filed in Flu Tips
Living in a city or area that has mass transit can be a great help to minimizing commutes and reducing carbon footprints. Sadly, during flu season, mass transit staples like the bus, taxis, or subway can be hotbeds for the flu virus. An ABC News article from 2008 outlines some common techniques that can help minimize your exposure to the flu while riding mass transit.
Below are some tips that can help you stay healthy during your commute this flu season.
- Move
- If someone is coughing or appears sick, move; this simple tip could reduce your exposure to microbes.
- Breathe Shallow
- Don’t run or overly stress yourself to board the train or bus; if you do you may force yourself to take huge breaths that would multiply your exposure to microbes.
- Use alcohol based hand cleaner
- Before and after you board the train or bus, a small dab of alcohol based hand cleaner can effectively reduce the chance of passing bacteria or viruses from your hands to your face.
- Be Strategic
- Poles and straps are magnets for germs. If you can avoid touching them you should. If you have to use a pole try leaning against it or wrapping your arm around the pole so your clothing makes contact and not your hands.
- Wear Gloves
- It may not be practical to wear surgical gloves during your daily commute, but buying a nice pair of leather or knit gloves can reduce the contact you have with surfaces on the bus or train.
Of course, the CDC-recommended best way to protect yourself this flu season is to get a flu shot. But, if you have to use mass transit during the flu season also use these simple tips to help you stay healthy and help prevent the spread of the flu.
To learn more prevention tips or to schedule a flu shot reminder, click here.
Posted September 10, 2010 | Filed in Flu Shots, Flu Tips, Pediatric
It’s back to school time again, where every fall, kids return to or start school for the first time. This marks a time in a child’s life to meet new friends and teachers, and experience new and exciting life events.
With all the excitement and anticipation of starting a new school year comes the increased exposure to germs and illnesses, including influenza. This not only affects children, faculty, and staff, but it can also affect the overall educational experience.
In fact, 38 million school days are lost each year due to the flu.[1] Children can be sick with the flu for a week or more, which may cause them to miss school, have a negative impact on their education, and even lower the average daily attendance of a school.
So what’s the best defense against the flu this fall? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that the single best way to prevent influenza is to get the flu vaccine every year. In fact, the CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receive a flu shot. Maxim Health Systems offers thousands of flu clinics across the country each and every year; search for a clinic in your area today- you don’t want to miss the opportunity to get both yourself and your children vaccinated this year (Maxim’s flu clinic locator provides clinic locations that serve ages 4 and older – contact us with questions about where to receive a flu shot for children 6 months to 4 years).
In addition to the flu vaccine, there are other ways to protect your child from the flu as they head back to school this year, including:
- Explain how the flu is spread and where they can catch the flu
- Teach your children to wash their hands using soap and water for 20 seconds or more
- Share with your child how to sneeze and cough into the crux of their elbow to help keep germs off of their hands
- Let them know that it is important to talk to you when they are feeling ill to help keep everyone healthy
Check out our blog from earlier this month that highlights more helpful tips for protecting your child from the flu.
You can also read our updated flu report for regional and national news/trends regarding the flu this season.
Going back to school is an exciting time in both a child’s and parent’s life. Here’s to a happy and healthy school year!
[1] National Center for Health Statistics
Posted August 30, 2010 | Filed in CDC Alerts, Flu Shots, Pediatric
For the first time ever, the CDC recommends that all people age six months and older receive a flu shot. This year’s vaccine combines strains of seasonal flu and H1N1. Everyone over the age of nine years old will need only one dose of the vaccine. However, if a child six months through eight years old received at least one H1N1 vaccine last year, he/she should receive only one seasonal vaccine this year, provided he/she has had two seasonal shots in a previous season. To learn more about vaccination recommendations for children ages six months through eight years of age, download the chart below, which shows the decision-making process on dosage for this age range.
DOWNLOAD .PDF
Posted August 24, 2010 | Filed in Flu Shots, Flu Tips, H1N1 (Swine Flu), Risk/Priority Groups
Last flu season, the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as Swine flu, became the first global influenza pandemic in more than 40 years. While the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the pandemic over, H1N1 remains a threat this flu season and the CDC says that “it is likely that 2009 H1N1 viruses will continue to spread along with seasonal viruses in the U.S. during the 2010-2011 flu season.” (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/1011season.htm)
Last year the H1N1 virus “resulted in substantial illness, hospitalizations and deaths,” according to the CDC. While the virus is not expected to be as widespread as last season, it remains one of the strains likely to infect individuals this season. Like other years, the best way to protect yourself from flu is through a flu shot. And while last year the H1N1 vaccine was a separate vaccination from the annual seasonal flu vaccine, this year, protection against last year’s H1N1 virus is included in the seasonal flu vaccine.
The CDC has also expanded its recommendations for who should get vaccinated. The CDC now recommends that everyone six months and older get a 2010-2011 flu vaccine to protect themselves against influenza. While people age 50 and older remain a high risk group for seasonal influenza, the H1N1 virus disproportionately affected younger patients in the 2009-2010 influenza season. In fact, the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from July 30 states that “279 laboratory-confirmed, influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported, nearly four times the average reported in the previous five influenza seasons.”
Learn more about seasonal flu and H1N1
Use findaflushot.com’s resource center to learn more about the differences between seasonal flu and H1N1 and find out more information about flu and flu vaccines by reading through these frequently asked questions. Please consult the CDC Web site for additional information on who should be vaccinated and be sure to speak to your health care provider before any vaccinations.
Schedule a flu shot reminder
Need a reminder to get a flu shot? Sign up for a flu shot reminder and receive an e-mail in your inbox reminding you to get vaccinated. Also, check back on findaflushot.com on September 1 to search for flu vaccine clinics in your area for the 2010-2011 season.