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Updated: October 15, 2009
Seasonal Flu 2009-2010
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Dr. Mark Horton, CDPH Director, on Flu Prevention Tips (video)
The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.
This year, in addition to the seasonal flu, there is a new and very different flu virus spreading worldwide called 2009 H1N1 flu. More information about the new 2009 H1N1 flu is available here.
Where to Get Vaccinated
The Sonoma Health Alliance is again sponsoring Flu Shot Saturday on Saturday, December 5th at locations throughout Sonoma County (English) (Spanish) (pdf). Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 ("swine flu") shots will be provided for all individuals, including children (at least 6 months of age) and pregnant women. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Persons with health insurance are encouraged to get a seasonal flu shot at their health care provider's office.
Kaiser members in Santa Rosa can call 393-4832. Kaiser members in Petaluma can call 765-3560.
You may also try the following websites:
- Google Flu Shot Locator
- American Lung Association www.flucliniclocator.org
- Sutter VNA and Hospice: suttervna.org/services/findaflushotclinic.cfm, or call 1-800-500-2400
If you have questions about the seasonal flu vaccine, you can call the Sonoma County Health Information Line at 707-565-4477, or submit your question to a disease control nurse online at Ask a Disease Control Nurse.
Information about 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination is available here.
Who Should Get a Seasonal Flu Shot?
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the seasonal flu can get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year:
- Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
- Pregnant women
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Most of these people are recommended for vaccination because they are at high risk of having serious flu complications or they live with or care for people at high risk for serious complications.
Also please note: two doses of vaccine are recommended for children age 6 months through 8 years receiving influenza vaccine for the first time. Those children who received only a single, first-ever dose last season are recommended to receive 2 doses this season. Please consult your healthcare provider for further information.
About Seasonal Flu Vaccines
There are two types of vaccines:
- The "flu shot" - an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
- The nasal-spray flu vaccine - a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "live attenuated influenza vaccine" or FluMist). LAIV (FluMist) is approved for use in healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant. The one exception is healthy persons who care for persons with severely weakened immune systems who require a protected environment; these healthy persons should get the inactivated vaccine. For more information, visit the CDC's website.
The Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain the benefits and risks of the two types of seasonal flu vaccines:
- Seasonal Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (flu shot) (pdf)
- Seasonal Live, Intranasal Influenza Vaccine (nasal spray) (pdf)
Each vaccine contains three influenza viruses. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.
About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.
Seasonal flu vaccines will not provide protection against 2009 H1N1 influenza (sometimes called swine flu). Initial doses of licensed vaccine are expected to be available by mid-October 2009. For more information about 2009 H1N1 vaccines visit the CDC's website.
Top 3 Reasons to Get Your Flu Vaccine
Prevents severe illness.
In the U.S. influenza puts about 200,000 people in the hospital each year. Children younger than 2 years old are as likely to be hospitalized as adults who are 65 or older.- Prevents influenza-related death.
Each year over 36,000 people in the U.S. die because of the flu-most are 65 or older. More people die from flu than from any other vaccine-preventable disease. - Protects other people.
You should get vaccinated if you live with or care for others who are at high risk of complications from the flu. Getting a flu vaccination yourself can help protect your family members, including seniors and young children.
About Influenza (The Flu)
Influenza, also called the flu, is a respiratory infection caused by a virus. It is different than a "cold." Influenza (flu) usually begins with a sudden onset of fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and headache. Other symptoms include muscle aches and extreme fatigue. These symptoms usually make people sick enough to keep them in bed for several days.
Most people recover from the flu completely in 1-2 weeks, although some people develop serious medical complications, such as pneumonia. Flu related complications can occur at any age; however, the elderly, very young infants and toddlers, and people with chronic health problems are much more likely to develop serious complications after influenza infection than are younger, healthier people.
There are measures that everyone can take to limit the spread of the flu, as well as other respiratory illnesses that occur in the community:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, for at least 15 seconds. Avoid touching your nose and eyes.
- Use disposable tissues instead of handkerchiefs when you cough or sneeze, and then wash your hands.
- Avoid crowds and people who are sick.
- Stay home and rest if you are sick with symptoms.
- Eat a healthy diet.