Every year millions of Americans get the flu. More than 200,000 people in the US will be hospitalized from influenza and an average of 36,000 will die from the disease each year. The best way to prevent the “flu” is vaccination. The “flu” vaccine is designed to reduce the spread of the newest strain of influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suspects that the H1N1 flu virus, in combination with the seasonal flu, could result in a particularly severe flu season this year.

According to the CDC, people should get vaccinated against seasonal influenza as soon as vaccines become available. However, the seasonal flu vaccine won’t protect against H1N1 (swine Flu). The H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and is expected to be available in mid-October. The H1N1 vaccine doesn’t replace the seasonal flu vaccine. For full protection, you will need both vaccines. For more information on the flu and flu shots, visit the pages below or www.flu.gov.

Who Needs a Seasonal Flu Shot?

Seasonal flu vaccines are recommended for everyone in your family, but especially:

• Children 6 months to 18 years old
• Adults over age 55
• Anyone with a chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, or an autoimmune disorder
• Pregnant women
• People working in healthcare
• Daycare workers and educators of children

Who should get an H1N1 flu shot?

Some groups are more susceptible to the swine flu, and the CDC strongly recommends that they receive the H1N1 influenza vaccine as soon as it is available:

•  Pregnant women
•  Those in households with children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• All children from 6 months through 4 years of age
• Persons aged 4 through 18 with a chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, or an autoimmune disorders

Read Flu Seasons Nears ... Now What? (Enterprise 9/24/09)