Reliant Medical Group 2011 - 2012 Flu Information

Annual vaccination is the best way to avoid getting the flu or flu-related complications. Flu shots are helpful through February.

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Click here for government flu information from the CDC

Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine when the vaccine is available this fall. While flu is unpredictable, it’s likely that 2009 H1N1 viruses and regular seasonal viruses will cause illness in the U.S. this flu season. The 2011-2012 flu vaccine will protect against several different flu viruses: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that caused so much illness during the 2009 - 2010 season.

Who Should Get Vaccinated

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended "universal" flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people.

While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, 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: 

• Pregnant women
• Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
  • Health care workers
  • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Children six months through eight years of age usually receive two doses of 2010-2011 flu vaccine unless they have received flu vaccine in previous years. Your child's physician will determine the number of vaccine doses recommended this year.

Flu information courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)