The word on this year's flu: Get the vaccine
BY DR. PAUL CHRISTAKIS
We are now into our second year of the CDC recommendation to vaccinate ALL patients 6 months of
age and older.
The flu is NOT just a bad cold. It can result in serious complications in children, especially under age 5.
As doctors, our priorities will continue to be to first reach the youngest and the most vulnerable children and their families. Infants, as well as older kids with asthma, diabetes, or other chronic conditions should be vaccinated early.
The good news is that H1N1 protection has been incorporated into the seasonal flu vaccine, so there's no need for two separate vaccines (as was necessary last year). The only exceptions are for first-time flu vaccine recipients between 6 months and 9 years of age.
First-timers still need the vaccine split into two doses, four weeks apart.
Remember, if you have allergy to egg, or to previous flu vaccine, you should NOT receive it.
The nasal flu vaccine, "Flumist" continues to be a popular alternative to the shot. It is a live vaccine, actually somewhat more effective than the inactivated injectable one. It is available to patients ages 2 years to 49 who have no history of wheezing or asthma.
With all the routine injections now recommended, it's kind of nice for patients (and providers!) to be able to get vaccinated without pain!
We are told there should be no shortage of flu vaccine this year, but still I would get with your doctor's office about it in October, if you can.
Dr. Paul Christakis is a Boca Raton pediatrician with more than 25 years experience. His practice is at 600 S. Dixie Hwy., Suite 103. Visit his website for parenting tips, answers to frequently asked questions, information on what's going around and more. Call his office at 561-392-4453.
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