Flu season on the horizon; health regulators urge early shots

The annual flu vaccination campaign is off to an early start this year and flu shot signs have begun popping up around pharmacies and doctor's offices.

For the first time ever, health regulators are urging most people to get inoculated in order to have a healthy and flu free fall, winter and spring ahead.

Though last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had recommended the shot for only the high risk category, this year they are pushing almost everyone, six months of age and older, to get the seasonal flu vaccine unless they have severe allergies to egg or get rashes.

According to the CDC, the shot not only protects the person vaccinated, but everyone around them as well. With a higher vaccination level, it becomes harder for the flu to get a foothold.

“Some people just look at the flu as a mere nuisance, so they don’t feel vaccination is important,” said Tom Skinner, senior public affairs officer with the CDC. “But we know it can be life-threatening.”

According to the CDC, the single flu shot not only protects the person vaccinated, but everyone around them as well. With a higher vaccination level, it becomes harder for the flu to get a foothold.

The all-in-one shot
Unlike last year, when the seasonal flu vaccines had already been manufactured, the new vaccine is an all-in-one shot that will protect a person against Influenza A and B and H1N1 through late May, long after the traditional peak of the flu season.

Dr. Troy Brennan, chief medical officer at CVS Caremark stated, "This year's seasonal flu vaccine protects against three strains of influenza expected to be circulating this flu season, including the H1N1 virus.

"Even if you received an H1N1 shot last flu season, you should still get this year's 'all in one' vaccine."

The only exception is children under the age of nine who have not been vaccinated for influenza in the past. They will need two doses of the flu vaccine.

In addition, a high-dosage shot will be available for people 65 and older because their weak immune system may not respond as effectively to the seasonal flu shot.

Top priority group
According to recommendations by the CDC, people at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older should be vaccinated first.

In addition, inoculation is vital for health care workers and those who live or care for high risk people.

Since, kids younger than six months of age are too young to get the shot but vulnerable to the illness, persons taking care for them should also be vaccinated.

Easy accessibility
With aim to provide the best possible protection, the health regulators are making vaccination more accessible, hoping to encourage people to take action and protect themselves and their families from the flu this year.

According to the CDC, the distribution of the vaccine began in August and the majority of the supply is expected to be distributed by the end of October.

The supply will continue in some areas through November.

The flu vaccine will be available at local health departments as well as some doctor's offices, health clinics, hospitals and pharmacies.

Since, the vaccines take about two weeks to effect, medical experts are recommending patients get the shot as soon as they can this season.