Health Notes

Flu Shots Are In

Our influenza vaccine has arrived. The influenza season goes from November to April. It is currently recommended that all children from 6 months to 5 years as well as all adults over the age of 50 receive an influenza vaccine. In addition, anyone with a chronic medical condition, women who will be pregnant during the influenza season, health care workers and close contacts of high-risk persons should also be vaccinated. People are usually protected about two weeks after receiving the vaccine and the immunity usually lasts for 6 months. However in some elderly persons the immunity can last for only 4 months. For this reason elderly people should wait a little longer, until mid-November to receive their flu shot. There does not appear to be a shortage of flu vaccine this year.

Adverse reactions to the vaccine include soreness at the injection site. Fever, muscle aches and generally not feeling well are also some side effects, usually in someone never before immunized. Rarely, a neurological disease called Guillain-Barre syndrome can occur. People who are allergic to egg products or chicken proteins, have had a life-threatening reaction to a previous flu vaccination, or who have had Guillain-Barre syndrome should not get a flu shot.

We are administering flu shots on Wednesdays during flu season by appointment. Please call the office to schedule an appointment.