The flu vaccine will be offered for free to Aboriginal people and the mordidly obese for free, for the first time this year. (Jack Dempsey/Associated Press)
Flu vaccine
Along with fall comes flu season, but having an egg allergy is not a reason to avoid getting the 2010-2011 flu vaccination. According to a new paper published on the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) website, recent studies show that most egg allergic individuals can receive the flu vaccine safely under the care of their allergist/immunologist.
“In the past, persons with egg allergy were told not to get the influenza vaccine because the vaccine contained egg protein and could trigger an allergic reaction. Research in the past year now shows that influenza vaccines contain only tiny amounts of egg protein. Clinical studies proved that the vast majority of persons with egg allergy did not experience a reaction when immunized with the influenza vaccine,” said co-author of the paper James T. Li, MD, PhD, FAAAAI. Read more…
Sep 17, 2010 (CIDRAP News) – The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine generated more adverse-event reports than recent seasonal flu vaccines, but this was probably due in part to heavy publicity, and the vaccine’s safety profile appears similar to that of seasonal vaccines, according to a new analysis by federal scientists.
The researchers, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), found that serious adverse events (AEs)—particularly Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), anaphylaxis, and death—were rare, at less than two of each per-million people vaccinated, according to their early-release report in Vaccine. Read more…
H1N1 vaccine
The state government has returned swine flu vaccines to the Centre following the refusal of medical practitioners to take it doubting its effectiveness and possible side effects. The state government had procured the vaccine from the Centre after the state was hit by H1N1 virus last year.
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More than 690,000 Americans have already received this season’s flu vaccine from their doctor, according to SDI’s VaccineTrack® data through Sept. 4. VaccineTrack® provides syndicated weekly vaccine usage by physicians based on medical office electronic healthcare reimbursement claims data.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced an unprecedented campaign to combat seasonal flu through a universal vaccination strategy. CDC removed many restrictions and currently supports seasonal influenza vaccination for all persons 6 months of age and older based on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advises CDC on vaccine issues. Read more…
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…
PHOENIX – Flu season is just around the corner and flu shots are now available in Arizona.
Many flu clinics open Monday, but what you may not realize is that this year’s flu shot has been made to protect you from more than just the seasonal flu.
Gets a flu shot
WASHINGTON – It’s flu-shot season already, and for the first time health authorities are urging nearly everyone to get vaccinated. There is even a new high-dose version for people 65 or older.
What a difference a year makes: Crowds lined up for hours for scarce shots during last fall’s swine flu pandemic, when infections peaked well before enough vaccine could be produced. This year, a record vaccine supply is expected — an all-in-one inoculation that now promises protection against that swine flu strain plus two other kinds of influenza.
Shipments started so early that drugstores are offering vaccinations amid their back-to-school sales. Read more…
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued updated recommendations for the use of trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine and antiviral medications for the prevention and treatment of influenza in children. The AAP policy statement, “Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2010-2011,” will be published in the October 2010 print issue of Pediatrics and released early online on August 30.
The AAP recommends annual trivalent seasonal influenza immunization for all children and adolescents 6 months of age and older. Special efforts should be made to immunize all family members, household contacts, and out-of-home care providers of children who are younger than 5 years; children with high-risk conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, or neurologic disorders); health care personnel; and pregnant women. These groups are most vulnerable to influenza-related complications.
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