The answer is easy: VACCINATE! I know it is hard to subject our kiddos to another “traumatic” injection but what is by far more traumatic is having our children catch the flu and suffer through the high fever, aches, fatigue and general misery associated with this illness. The flu is also associated with missed school days for kids, missed work days for parents, possible disruption of holiday plans and transmission to others including our elder relatives that are at particularly higher risk for complications.

Follow up:

The recommended age range of children for annual influenza immunization has been expanded this season to include all children 6 months through 18 years of age. The previous recommended age group was 6 months to 5 years. Influenza vaccine has not been approved for children younger than 6 months. In addition to children 6 months through 18 years old, the CDC recommends the flu vaccines for pregnant women, anyone 50 or older, patients of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and those who live with or care for people at high risk for flu complications.

This year’s flu vaccine formulation consists of three viral strains: Influenza A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1), Influenza A/Brisbane/10-2007 (H3N2) and Influenza B/Florida/4/2006. It is estimated that all 3 strains in the 2008-2009 influenza vaccines are different from last year’s strains. The strains must be chosen eight months in advance to give manufacturers enough time to make an adequate supply and distribute the doses for the flu season.

After shortages of flu vaccines in previous years, officials stressed that there will be an abundant supply this year. Officials expect up to 146 million doses to be made this year by six manufacturers, up from 113 million doses manufactured last year.

Types of Influenza Vaccine: TIV and LAIV

TIV is an inactivated vaccine that contains killed viruses and, therefore, cannot produce

an active virus infection. TIV is administered intramuscularly to people who are 6 months of age

and older, including those who are healthy and those with chronic medical conditions. The most common symptoms associated with TIV administration are soreness at the injection site and low grade fever within 24 hours of the injection.

LAIV is a live-attenuated influenza vaccine that is administered intranasally and is

licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people 2 through 49 years of age.

LAIV has the potential to produce mild signs or symptoms related to attenuated influenza virus infection, including fever.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aims to vaccinate 261 million people this year. On average, 60 million Americans get the flu each year and 36,000 die from complications. Avoid the flu this season by getting yourself and your child vaccinated just as soon as possible.

Christie Camizzi, BSN, RNc, CCFS
Founder; On-Call for Kids, LLC
NurseCaster; Healthy KidCast