Did you get your flu shot yet?

NEW CDC GUIDELINES:  The Flu Shot is recommended for anyone over the age of 6 months.

This year's vaccine combines 2 seasonal flu strains and the H1N1 strain.

In general, the Influenza vaccine is recommended for:

• Anyone who is at risk of complications from Influenza or more likely to require medical care
• Anyone who lives with or cares for people at high risk for Influenza related complications
• People who provide essential community services.
• People living in dormitories or under other crowded conditions, to prevent outbreaks
• People at high risk of Influenza complications who travel to the Southern hemisphere between April and September or to the tropics or in organized tourist groups at any time
• Anyone who wants to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with Influenza or spreading Influenza to others. 

Plan to get the Influenza vaccine in October or November if you can. Getting vaccinated in December, or even later, will still be beneficial in most years. You can get the vaccine as soon as it is available, and for as long as illness is occurring. In the northern hemisphere, Influenza illness can occur any time from November through May. Most cases usually occur in January or February. Most people need one dose of Influenza vaccine each year.

Children younger than 9 years of age getting Influenza vaccine for the first time should get 2 doses. For inactivated vaccine, these doses should be given at least 4 weeks apart. Influenza vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines, including Pneumococcal vaccine.


Have more Influenza questions?  Ask them in the comment section below or contact your nearest Passport Health location. 

H1N1 Influenza Virus Continues to Spread

The H1N1 flu virus (AKA: Swine Flu) is continuing its journey around the world. The CDC this morning confirmed that the virus is now present in 21 different countries claiming 984 confirmed cases of the virus.

On the bright side, there have been no more deaths associated with the H1N1 Influenza A virus other than the 25 deaths reported in Mexico, and the death of one Mexican toddler in Texas.

Several countries are taking extreme measures to prevent the spread of the H1N1 Influenza A virus. A Hong Kong hotel made the choice to quarantine all guests after 1 man at the hotel was diagnosed with H1N1 Influenza A. Officials in Egypt made the call to slaughter ALL pigs in the country, even though there have been no cases of the H1N1 Influenza A virus reported in the country.

The thought of a global pandemic does make many people uneasy and extra cautious in the wake of the Swine Flu spread. Hand sanitizer, tissues and antibacterial soaps are flying off the shelves at stores and children are yanked out of school at the mere mention of Swine Flu.

Wash your hands for at least 30 seconds (try singing Happy Birthday to mark the time) with warm water and soap, don't share drinks/food, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue (then throw it away!) or the inside of your elbow and stay home from work and school if you are feeling any flu-like symptoms. Let us not forget that proper hygiene and smart thinking are the way that we as humans should always behave, not just during outbreaks.

Keep in mind that every year the seasonal flu kills 36,000 people in the United States alone.