Flu Immunizations 2013-2014
Advanced Pediatrics is pleased to announce that this year’s influenza immunizations are now available in our office.
Days (appointments are 8AM-Noon each of the three days).
Influenza is a virus that sweeps across our region every winter, typically appearing in December and leaving our community around April.
This virus is responsible for a rather astounding amount of winter illness, causing fully 1/3 of all colds, flus, and ear infections.
Influenza immunization is now recommended for everyone, except for those less than 6 months old.
Influenza immunization comes in two formats: a shot and a nasal spray. The shot contains dead virus and is fine for anyone over 6 months of age to use. The nasal spray contains live virus and should not be used by anyone less than 2 years old, older than 50 years old, or anyone with a chronic illness, including asthma.
With regard to how many influenza vaccines is a complete series, the answer is very simple. Anyone under age 9 who has never had an influenza vaccine, needs two influenza vaccines at least one month apart to be fully protected.
That also means anyone who has had an influenza vaccine in the past only needs one this year.
Overall, the data show that the nasal spray tends to work better- the immunity covers more strains than are in the vaccine and lasts longer. But, at the same time, the shot works quite well, too.
Getting Your Influenza Vaccine at Advanced Pediatrics
In order to make sure the entire practice gets the chance to be protected from influenza infection in a timely and easy manner, we are going to offer influenza vaccinations in two ways:
- Any child in the practice 6 months of age or older can get their influenza vaccine at any visit to office, whether it be for a health supervision visit (check-up), sick visit, or conference.
- We will once again offer special Flu Vaccine Clinic days to allow a large number of people the chance to simply come in and get their flu vaccine in a few minutes time.
The Flu Vaccine Clinic days will be held on three Saturdays:
September 21
October 12 and
November 9,
Each starting at 8AM. You can call now to set up your time for these days.
October 12 and
November 9,
Each starting at 8AM. You can call now to set up your time for these days.
The outlook for our supply looks good, no shortages are expected.
Even so, due to regulations we have to limit our flu vaccine offerings to children in families, we are not able to offer influenza vaccinations to parents anymore.
We at Advanced Pediatrics are very pleased to be able to help make sure this winter is as healthy as possible.
*Disclaimer* The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.
No comments:
Post a Comment