Influenza - Seasonal Flu Shots

CDC recommends everyone to get a flu shot this fall. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against three different viruses: Influenza B, H3N2 and H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus that caused so much illness last season.

FastVax offers easy to get flu vaccinations in many convenient locations. Check our currently scheduled clinics. Or call (215) 996-1400.

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Each year in the United States on average, 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; on average, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications, and; about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.
  
Complications of Flu
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

How to Prevent the Flu: Get Vaccinated
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get a seasonal flu vaccination each year.
There are two types of flu vaccines

• The "flu shot" - an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The seasonal flu inoculation is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.

• The nasal-spray flu vaccine - a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine").  LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

 
About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection.

When to Get Vaccinated Against Seasonal Flu
Yearly seasonal flu vaccination should begin in September, or as soon as the seasonal flu vaccine is available, and continue throughout the flu season into December, January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of flu seasons vary.

Expanded recommendations for Seasonal Flu Inoculation-2010-2011
A panel of immunization experts voted on February 24, 2010 to expand the recommendation for annual influenza vaccination to include all people aged 6 months and older. The expanded recommendation is to take effect in the 2010 - 2011 influenza season. The new recommendation signals the importance of preventing influenza across the entire population.

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated Against Seasonal Flu
Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician.

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs..

• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.

• People who developed Guillian-Barr's syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.

• Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).

• People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

Please refer to the cdc.gov website for additional information on the upcoming 2010-2011 Flu Season.