3 in 1 flu shot : Flu vaccine will include H1N1 protection this year – Health officials recommend 3-in-1 flu shot for everyone older than 6 months
H1N1 protection
The sting of vaccinations won’t be as harsh this flu season as it was last year.
Seasonal flu vaccinations this year will include coverage against the H1N1 virus, saving patients time, money and the added prick associated with last year’s separate H1N1 vaccination, according to medical experts.
Crates of the flu shots are starting to arrive at hospitals throughout Montgomery County, spurring medical professionals to roll out their annual campaigns that encourage residents to get vaccinated. For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging everyone over 6 months ancient to receive the vaccine this year. With ample preparation time for this year’s flu season and increased production, hospitals, pharmacies and clinics should have enough vaccines to go around, said Dr. Drew White, the chairman and medical director of the emergency department at Washington Adventist Hospital.
“Annual flu vaccines are the best defense against the flu for children or adults,” he said. “That’s a common question. ‘What’s the best thing I can do?’ And it’s get an annual flu vaccine.”
Between April 2009 — when H1N1 broke out — and April 10, 2010, there have been about 61 million infections and 12,500 deaths related to H1N1, according to the CDC website. Read more…
