Summer/Autumn 2007

It’s never too early to be prepared. Even though now it’s warm and green outside, influenza season is just around the corner.

This year, as in past years, we will start giving the influenza vaccine to at-risk patients around October 1. We will then open up the vaccine to anyone who wants one.

Vaccination is recommended for:

• Children with long-term health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease, metabolic diseases like diabetes, or blood disorders like chronic anemia.
• Children with underlying lung disorders like asthma, reactive airway disease or respiratory problems secondary to prematurity.
• Any child on long-term aspirin treatment such as children with arthritis.
• Any child who lives in a group home.
• Any child with a weakened immune system due to drug treatment or an underlying immune disorder.
• All children six months through five years of age.
• All children who are in households with anyone 65 years or older, or in households with anyone in one of the high-risk categories listed above.

Stay tuned for more details.