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Who should get
flu vaccine?
The Department of Health (DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) recommend that the following groups get a flu vaccine:
- All children, ages 6 months up to the 5th birthday
- All adults, 50 years and older
- Children and adults of any age with certain chronic health conditions or
special health care needs, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, cystic
fibrosis, asthma and other breathing problems, sickle cell anemia and cerebral
palsy
- Pregnant women
- People who live or work in long-term care facilities
- Household contacts and caregivers of people in any of the above groups
- Health-care professionals
- Household contacts and caregivers of children, especially those in contact with babies under 6 months of age who
are too young to get flu vaccine
- Anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu
Shot
or Nasal Spray
Two types of flu vaccine are available. Each is recommended for
different groups of people. If you’re not sure which is best for you or your
child, ask your doctor, nurse or clinic. With either vaccine, children under
age 9 may need two doses in the same flu season.
The Flu Shot
The flu shot contains inactivated (killed) viruses and may cause
some soreness where the shot is given. The flu shot can be given to anyone age
6 months and older.
The Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine
The nasal spray flu vaccine or Live Attenuated
Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) contains live, weakened flu viruses. It can be given
to healthy children, teens and adults aged 2 to 49 years who are not
pregnant. Check with your health care provider or local pharmacy about how to
get the LAIV (commonly called FluMist). More information on LAIV is available
at:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/live.htm
Mercury-Free Flu Vaccines
Mercury-free influenza vaccines are available to
meet the requirements of a new mercury-limiting law that went into effect on
July 1, 2007. The law requires that pregnant women and children under age 3
be given vaccines that are considered mercury-free (or thimerosal-free).
Thimerosal is a preservative still used in some vaccines that contains a
type of mercury called ethylmercury. Ethylmercury is processed differently
in the body than methylmercury (the type of mercury found in the environment).
Studies suggest that ethylmercury is removed from the body more quickly than
methylmercury. A thimerosal-free influenza vaccine is defined as having less
than 1.0 microgram of mercury per 0.5 milliliter dose.
Ask your doctor, nurse or clinic about mercury-free flu vaccines for you or
your child or if you have further questions about this law.
How to find a
flu vaccine
- Call your doctor, nurse or clinic
- Check the American Lung Association’s Flu Shot Locator at
www.flucliniclocator.org
- Contact your local health department - a list of local health departments
is available at:
www.doh.wa.gov/LHJMap/LHJMap.htm
- Call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588
Flu
Symptoms
The signs to watch for include fever, headache,
tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and muscle aches. If
you or someone you know has these symptoms and they are severe, contact
your health care provider as soon as possible.
Flu Fact Sheet--Washington State Department of
Health
Important information about antibiotics
Antibiotics don't work against viruses such as colds or flu. If you take
antibiotics for a viral illness, you could develop resistant germs or "superbugs."
Then, when you really need the antibiotic for a serious bacterial
infection, it may not work. Find
more information on our antibiotics page.
Help protect yourself and others: use good health habits
Take these simple
precautions to help prevent the spread of flu and other respiratory disease:
- Get a flu vaccine
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your upper sleeve, not your bare
hand
- Use a tissue to wipe your nose, then throw the tissue away
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer
- Stay home to avoid spreading germs if you or your family members are
coughing, sneezing or have aches or fever associated with the flu
- Wear a mask to cover your face in a medical office, if asked
Educational Materials
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Flu Fact Sheet and Flu Pyramid:
The Immunization Program/CHILD Profile has flu education materials that can be
ordered for free, including a fact sheet for parents and a counter display (Flu
Pyramid) for pediatric clinics. For information on ordering materials, please
see:
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Preventing the spread of germs.
Tips from Washington State Department of Health on good health manners. The fact sheet is available
in PDF in the following seven languages:
- Cover Your Cough. Covering your mouth when
you sneeze or cough and washing your hands will help prevent the spread of germs
and illness.
-
Flu Facts (fact sheet)
- CDC Patient Education Materials. Fact sheets and more from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Actions for
Schools
- CDC Guidelines and Materials. Facts,
recommendations, and posters to help schools prevent the spread of flu from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Recursos en el idioma
español
Información en la Red en español
External
Links
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