2009-2010 Flu Shots

The FDA approved influenza vaccine for the 2009-2010 season is widely available and recommended, but it is important to note that the vaccine will not protect against the H1N1 flu virus.

The H1N1 vaccine is now available and will be administered at most of the local schools starting this week.

The public needs to understand that the vaccine is not 100 percent effective but most studies support the fact that vaccination is the best protection against the flu and that high-risk Americans should be vaccinated.

High risk individuals for the seasonal flu are young children, elderly people, and those with chronic medical conditions including heart disease, lung disease and diabetes. The H1 N1 seems to be targeting more pregnant women and young children and sparing the elderly.

As for the seasonal flu vaccine; what to include in it is always somewhat of a guessing game and some years provide better protection than others. But the H1N1 vaccine was designed and targeted directly at the H1 N1 virus and will be much more effective.

So quit procrastinating and get your Flu shots