Q & A :  What You Need to Know About the Flu Vaccine

A flu shot is your first line of defense.

A flu shot is your best protection against the flu strains that are most likely to strike this season.  This vaccine will prevent, or significantly lessen, flu symptoms.  For the elderly, or others of more fragile health, this could save a life.  Encourage your babysitters and caregivers to get vaccinated for their own protection as well as protecting your children or loved ones.  Forward this information to your office mates and church family to educate and inform them.  For all of us, getting a flu shot means less misery and fewer days off from work or away from family and friends.  

Please read on for answers to your questions  about the flu vaccine and other ways to keep your family well this flu season.

Q: What flu viruses are included in the seasonal vaccine for 2011-2012?

A; The World Health Organization recommended that the 2011–2012 seasonal influenza vaccine contain the following three vaccine viruses:

• an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus;
• an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus; and
• a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.

These are the same viruses that were selected for the Northern Hemisphere for the 2010-2011 influenza vaccine. The vaccine can protect you from getting sick from these three viruses, or it can make your illness milder if you get a related but different influenza virus strain.

Q: Who should get a flu vaccine?

A:  Officials are recommending that everyone older than 6 months get vaccinated.  

It’s especially important that the following groups get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications:

• People with asthma
• People with diabetes
• Adults 65 and older
• Pregnant women
• People who have HIVor AIDS
• People who have cancer
• Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
• Healthcare workers and caretakers (including parents)

Q: How much will it cost?

A:  There is NO COST with MOST insurances.   Wake Health  Services’ adult patients in our Discount Fee Program pay $15 depending on their sliding fee scale.  Adult patients with no insurance and who are NOT in our Discount Fee Program pay $25.

Q:  When does flu season start and when is it too late to get a flu shot?

A: The timing of flu is very unpredictable and can vary from season to season. Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available.  Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. in January or February.  However, seasonal flu activity can occur as late as May.

Q: What actions can I take to protect myself and my family against the flu this season?

A: First and foremost, get the flu vaccine.  In addition, the following precautions can help prevent the spread of all germs, including the flu:

Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing: Cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

The "Happy Birthday" song helps keep your hands clean?  Not exactly... yet we recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. That's about the same time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice!

Alcohol-Based Hand Wipes and Gel Sanitizers Work, Too.  When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

Source: Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2011-2012.htm"> http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2011-2012.htm