Flu Shot Locations

2008-2009 Flu Strains

They are:

• A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1)-like virus;

• A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus;

• B/Florida/4/2006-like virus.

Who should get vaccinated this season?
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended by CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications.

People recommended for vaccination during the 2008-09 flu season are:

• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday

• Pregnant women

• People 50 years of age and older

• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions

• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

  • Health care workers

  • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu

  • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

  When should I get vaccinated for the 2008-09 flu season?
  Yearly flu vaccination should begin as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. Influenza season most often peaks in January or February or later, so for people not able to get their influenza vaccine in the fall, vaccination in December, January and beyond is beneficial in most years

  During the 2007-08 flu season, a small increase in the overall number of flu viruses resistant to the neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir was observed. Among specimens collected since October 1, 2007, no resistance to oseltamivir was identified among the 444 influenza A (H3N2) or the 305 influenza B viruses tested. However, 111 (10.9%) of the 1,020 influenza A (H1N1) viruses tested were found to be resistant to oseltamivir, an increase from four (0.7%) of 588 influenza A (H1N1) viruses tested during the 2006-07 season. No resistance to zanamivir has been detected.

  CDC laboratory surveillance has indicated continued high resistance among influenza virus isolates to the adamantanes (amantadine and rimantadine) in the United States. Among specimens collected since October 1, 2007, 99.8% of influenza A (H3N2) viruses tested were resistant to the adamantanes. Adamantane resistance among influenza A (H1N1) viruses has been detected at a lower level with 10.8% of influenza A (H1N1) viruses resistant to adamantanes. Adamantanes are not used for influenza B virus infections.

  There are three types of influenza viruses: A, B and C. Influenza A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics of disease almost every winter in the United States. Influenza type C infections cause a mild respiratory illness and are not thought to cause epidemics.

  Influenza A viruses are divided into subtypes based on two proteins on the surface of the virus: the hemagglutinin (H) and the neuraminidase (N). There are 16 different hemagglutinin subtypes and 9 different neuraminidase subtypes, Influenza A viruses can be further broken down into different strains. The current subtypes of influenza A viruses found in people are A (H1N1) and A (H3N2).

  Influenza B viruses are not divided into subtypes. Influenza B viruses also can be further broken down into different strains.

   

  Swine Flu

  Influenza A (H1N1), A (H3N2), and influenza B strains are included in each year's influenza vaccine. Getting a flu vaccine can protect against influenza A and B viruses. The flu vaccine does not protect against influenza C viruses.

  Who Should Not Be Vaccinated

  There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. These include

  • People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
  • People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
  • People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine.
  • Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group), and
  • People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)

   

  Influenza Vaccine

   

  Source Reference :  CDC

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