Dr. Shreya Kanabar on the importance of the flu vaccine.

It ' s National Influenza Vaccine Week                 December 4 - December 11thShreya Kanabar, MDThe flu killed and hospitalized more people in the US last winter than any seasonal influenza in decades according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 80,000 people died, a record high compared to a previous high of 56,000 from over thirty years ago. 900,000 people were hospitalized. Of the deaths, 180 were children, and 80% of these children did not receive their flu vaccine, meaning a great majority of deaths occurred in the unimmunized. Last year ’s flu also was one of the longest in recent years, lasting about 19 weeks, and even healthy kids were not safe. It is known that last year’s vaccine was not fully effective against the strain of flu infecting people, but experts say that the vaccine’s impact on the body goes well beyond the a cute respiratory infection, and a simple vaccine can prevent or reduce the severity of many of the complications of flu, including duration of illness, severity of illness, need for breathing tube, and death. That layer of added protection is important and was seen to be life-saving in some.WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THE VACCINE?The CDC recommends vaccinating all persons aged 6 months and older.Children 6 months through 8 years of age who are receiving their first ever dose should receive a second dose 4 weeks later to be fully immunized...
Source: Pediatric Health Associates - Category: Pediatrics Tags: Healthy Habits Vaccination Information Source Type: news