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Time to Get Shots for Flu, Pneumonia

Posted on: Tuesday, 25 October 2005, 00:00 CDT

By Richard Harkness

It's time for my annual influenza update.

The key message is to get your flu vaccination. Flu-related complications kill 36,000 people (mostly elderly) annually in the United States, so it's good insurance.

A yearly vaccination is required because virus strains change fast. The current vaccine is based on these changes.

With three suppliers of flu- shot vaccine this season, the CDC hopes to have adequate amounts. However, there appeared to be adequate vaccine last year, before the unexpected happened. You might remember that Chiron, one of only two companies supplying the vaccine to the United States, was shuttered due to manufacturing problems. That led to last season's shortage.

As a hedge against uncertainty, the CDC recommends that high- risk individuals and people who might transmit the virus to them get a flu shot first, beginning in October, followed by the general population after Oct. 24. CDC high-risk groups this season are:

* People 65 years and older

* People ages 2-64 years with chronic health conditions

* Children ages 6-23 months

* Residents of long-term-care facilities

* Pregnant women

* People who provide direct patient care

* Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children younger than 6 months of age

Additionally, vaccinating contacts and caregivers of children younger than 6 months old might reduce the risk of flu infection in this vulnerable group, for whom the flu vaccine is not approved.

Children younger than 9 years old receiving a flu shot for the first time will need a booster shot a month later.

Some researchers think that school-age children 5 to 18 years old should be a primary focus of vaccination programs. The rationale: Children are the major carriers of the flu virus and those most likely to spread it to others.

Of note, the CDC recommends that a flu vaccination be given to anyone 6 months or older who was displaced by Hurricane Katrina and is living in crowded conditions.

Who should not get a flu shot? Talk with your doctor if you:

* Are allergic to hen eggs (used in manufacturing the flu vaccine).

* Have had a severe reaction to the flu shot.

* Have previously developed Guillain-Barre syndrome shortly after getting a flu shot.

It should be emphasized that the flu shot vaccine is made with killed viruses and cannot cause the flu.

FluMist nasal spray is recommended as an alternative to the flu shot for healthy individuals 5 to 49 years old (except pregnant women).

Vaccinations are available at local health departments, hospitals and physicians' offices. You can find other locations in your area by calling (877) 962-9358 or going to www.find aflushot.com on the Web.

An important reminder: Get a pneumonia shot if you've never had one. It helps prevent bacterial pneumonia, which claims more lives than the flu each year. It can be given at the same time as the flu shot.

Harkness is a consultant pharmacist, natural medicines specialist, and author of eight published books. Write him at 1224 King Henry Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39564; or rharkn@aol.com. Selected questions will be used in the column.

Source: Sunday Gazette - Mail; Charleston, W.V.

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