Last year’s influenza season was not memorable because of the illness it brought but rather by the lack of influenza vaccine for everyone who wanted one.

With vaccine manufacturers ramping up their production this year, we hope that the shortages of last year can be avoided. With this in mind, here is this year’s Influenza Refresher Course.

Common symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills and muscle aches. This is not to be confused with the “stomach flu” where the main symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea, and is caused by germs other than the influenza virus.

Most children are sick with influenza for a few days, but some children get much sicker and may need to be hospitalized. Influenza is responsible for over 20,000 deaths in the U.S. annually.

The influenza vaccine offers good protection against disease. Since the influenza viruses change from year to year, it is necessary to get revaccinated each year to maintain protection. Although some people who received the vaccine will still get the “flu,” it is usually a milder than those who didn’t get the shot.
In general, those children older than six months of age who are at greater risk of getting a serious case of influenza or suffering from its complications should get the vaccine.

We are recommending a flu shot 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 6 to 23 months who are in day care.

Most people need only one flu vaccine to prevent sickness. Children under nine years of age getting the vaccine for the first time will need two shots, one month apart.

We will start giving flu vaccine to children in October. We will begin taking appointments to receive the influenza vaccine beginning October 1.

If you’ve ever had a serious reaction to eggs or a previous flu vaccine, talk with your provider before receiving the vaccine.

Serious reactions from the vaccine are extremely rare. The viruses in the vaccine have been killed so that you cannot get influenza from the vaccine. Mild reactions include soreness, redness and swelling where the shot was given; fever and body aches. These usually last one to two days.

If you have additional questions, please talk to your provider.