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Don't Get the Flu... Don't Spread the Flu
GET VACCINATED
The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. There are two types of flu vaccines:
- the nasal spray which is approved for healthy people aged 2 to 49 years (who are not pregnant)
- the "flu shot" that is given with a needle (usually in the arm) and is approved for use in all people over age 6 months
Please call our office at (303) 770-0726 to make an appointment for one of our scheduled flu clinics:
| Wednesday | October 17 | 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm |
| Wednesday | October 31 | 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm |
| Wednesday | November 14 | 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm |
| Wednesday | November 28 | 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm |
| Saturday | October 20 | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
| Saturday | November 3 | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
| Saturday | November 17 | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
| Saturday | December 1 | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Influenza is Serious
During the 2003-2004 influenze season in the United States, influenza was the leading cause of vaccine-preventable death in children. Each year influenza attacks between 5 and 20 percent of the US population, and complications from the flu result in 200,000 hospitalizations (of which 20,000 are children).
Children play a significant role in transmitting influenza by spreading the virus to their family members and classmates at day care or school. Children aged 5 to 19 were approximately 3 to 4 times more likely to be infected with influenza than adults.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
1. People at high risk for complications from the flu should get vaccinated each year:
- All children aged 6 months - 5 years
- Pregnant woman
- People aged 50 years and older
- People with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
2. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from the flu:
- All persons, including school-aged children, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting influenza to others.
- Healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of children under 5 and adults over 50 years, with particular emphasis on contacts of children less than 6 months old (since these children are too young to get vaccinated).
When to Get Vaccinated
October and November are the best times to receive a flu vaccination. The peak flu season in the United States is in the winter, generally between December and March.
Vaccine Effectiveness
The flu vaccine's effectiveness depends on the age and health status of the person receiving the vaccine, as well as the "match" between the virus strains in circulation and the virus in the vaccine. You cannot get the flu from the vaccine.
Side Effects of the Vaccination
In children, side effects from FluMist could include: runny nose, wheezing, headache, vomiting, muscle aches, and/or fever. In adults, side effects could include: runny nose, headache, sore throat, and/or cough.
Side effects from the flu shot could include: soreness, swelling, or redness at the injection site, fever, and/or aches.
Symptoms of the Flu
Symptoms of the flue include fever (generally high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, and stomach symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (more common in children than adults).
Complications from the flu include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic conditions (such as asthma).
Information for Parents
Remind your children to:
- Cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away after they use it.
- Wash their hands often with soap and water, and especially after they cough or sneeze. Use an alcohol-based cleanser if soap and water are not available.
- Not touch their eyes, nose, or mouth since germs often spread that way.
We will be able to provide the flu shot for $25 and the flu spray for $40 for any adult caregivers who wish to receive a vaccination together with their child(ren).
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