Information on
Seasonal and H1N1 Flu
GET VACCINATED
Vaccination is
the best way to protect yourself from seasonal flu. There are
2
types of seasonal flu vaccine: the traditional flu shot that
is given with a needle, and nasal spray flu vaccine.
The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for people who want to
protect themselves from the flu.
Neither of
the seasonal flu vaccines protects against H1N1 flu. A specific H1N1
vaccine has been developed to protect against this new virus
and the supply is slowly increasing.
Texas Children’s recommends
that pregnant women get the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine. If you are
pregnant, getting a flu vaccine can significantly reduce your
risk of severe illness and complications from the flu. The flu
vaccine is safe for you and your baby.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) considers
pregnant women one of the
priority vaccination groups, so
make sure you get vaccinated as soon as possible. Note that
pregnant women should not receive the nasal-spray flu vaccine.
What vaccines are available?
There are 2 types of vaccine to protect against the seasonal flu:
- The “flu shot” is given with a needle, typically in the arm, and is
recommended for people older than 6 months, including healthy people with
chronic medical conditions.
- Nasal spray flu vaccine is approved for healthy
people ages 2 to 49 and women who are not pregnant.
Neither the seasonal flu shot nor the nasal spray flu vaccine protects against
H1N1. A specific
H1N1 vaccine
has been developed to protect against this new
virus. It is currently available in limited quantities.
When should I get a flu vaccine?
Seasonal flu shots are generally offered from September through January. However,
the CDC recommends getting the flu shot early in the
season – by October or November – to offer the best protection before flu
illnesses peak in January.
Who should get the flu vaccine?
The seasonal flu shot is recommended for anyone who wants to reduce the chance of
getting the flu, including people who are healthy, childless, young or
middle-aged.
High priority groups for seasonal flu vaccination are:
- Children 6 months old and older
- Pregnant women
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications
from flu
- People age 50 and older
The
CDC has ordered enough vaccine to protect everyone who wishes to be
vaccinated. Initially, however, the H1N1 flu vaccine will be
available in limited quantities. The CDC recommends that
certain priority groups be the first to receive the H1N1 flu
vaccine. The groups recommended by
the CDC to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine include:
- Pregnant women
- Household contacts and caregivers for children younger
than 6 months of age
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
- All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
- Children from 6 months through 18 years of age
- Young adults 19
through 24 years of age
- Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions
associated with higher risk of medical complications from
influenza
Note: The H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is only recommended
for healthy people with no underlying health problems between the
ages of 2 and 49. So people under 2 and over 49 years of age or
people with chronic health problems should get the flu shot.
Does the seasonal flu vaccine have any side effects?
Some people who receive either a flu shot or the nasal spray vaccine will have
mild side effects that last 1-2 days, while others will have no side effects at all.
Where can I find more information about flu vaccines?
Visit the Centers for Disease Control to
get key facts about flu vaccines and to learn more about their effectiveness.
 
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