mybonsecours
flu season has arrived, and we're ready for it
It's that time of year again- for changing leaves, for a slight chill in the air and for flu vaccinations. We're sorry if you missed us at our "Drive Thru, Prevent the Flu" event, but those still interested in getting vaccinated can search here for a nearby primary care physician to administer the flu shot!
Additional Vaccination Information
The 2010-2011 flu vaccine protects against the three flu viruses researchers expect to be most common during the upcoming season: this includes the 2009 H1N1 and two other flu viruses. The Center for Disease Control often recommends that yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the flu season. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. For more information check out the Department of Health's Vaccine Information Statement (PDF).
Earlier this year vaccine experts decided that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year starting with the 2010-2011 influenza season and voted for "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 high-risk groups get vaccinated:
- 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 those at high risk for complications from flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Dr. Ralph Robertson, medical director for the emergency room at Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated sooner rather than later:
