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January 28, 2016 By Julian

Children, the Flu, and the Flu Vaccine

Health-Wellness_DocAndLittleGirlInfluenza is dangerous for children

Influenza (“the flu”) is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year, many children get sick with seasonal influenza; some of those illnesses result in death.

  • Children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially before they turn 5 years old.
  • Severe influenza complications are most common in children younger than 2 years old.
  • Children with chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes and disorders of the brain or nervous system are at especially high risk of developing serious flu complications.
  • Each year an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of influenza complications.
  • Flu seasons vary in severity, however some children die from flu each year. Last influenza season, more than 140 flu-related pediatric deaths were reported. Information about pediatric deaths since the 2004-2005 flu season is available in the interactive pediatric death web application.

The single best way to protect your children from the flu is to get them vaccinated each year.

The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Traditional flu vaccines (called “trivalent” vaccines) are made to protect against three flu viruses; an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus. In addition, there are flu vaccines made to protect against four flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines). These vaccines protect against the same three viruses as the trivalent vaccine and an additional B virus.

What kinds of flu vaccines are available for children?

  • The trivalent flu vaccine protects against three flu viruses; two influenza A viruses and an influenza B virus. The following trivalent flu vaccines will be available:
    • standard dose trivalent shots that are manufactured using virus grown in eggs. These are approved for people ages 6 months and older. There are different brands of this type of vaccine, and each is approved for different ages.
  • The quadrivalent flu vaccine protects against four flu viruses; two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. The following quadrivalent flu vaccines are:
    • a standard dose quadrivalent shot. One brand is approved for people 6 months and older while others are approved for those 3 years and older.
    • an intradermal dose quadrivalent shot approved for people 18 through 64 years of age.
    • a standard dose quadrivalent nasal spray, approved for healthy* non-pregnant people 2 through 49 years of age when immediately available and there are no contraindications or precautions).

A complete list of influenza vaccines that are available for the 2015-2016 season can be found on CDC’s influenza website.

Your child’s health care provider will know which vaccines are right for your child.

  • CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine.
    Keep in mind that vaccination is especially important for certain people who are high risk or who are in close contact with high risk persons. This includes children at high risk for developing complications from influenza illness, and adults who are close contacts of those children.

For the complete list of those at high risk, visit People at High Risk of Developing Flu–Related Complications.

There are special vaccination instructions for children aged 6 months through 8 years of age

Some children 6 months through 8 years of age require two doses of influenza vaccine. Children in this age group who are getting vaccinated for the first time, as well as some who have been vaccinated previously, will need two doses. Your child’s health care provider can tell you whether two doses are recommended for your child.

The first dose should be given as soon as vaccine becomes available.

The second dose should be given at least 28 days after the first dose. The first dose “primes” the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection. Children who only get one dose but need two doses can have reduced or no protection from a single dose of flu vaccine.

If your child needs the two doses, begin the process early. This will ensure that your child is protected before influenza starts circulating in your community.

Be sure to get your child a second dose if he or she needs one. It usually takes about two weeks after the second dose for protection to begin.

Recommendations on the control and prevention of influenza are published annually, in late summer or early fall. Existing recommendations are available at Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Resources for Health Professionals. Updated recommendations for the 2015-2016 season are available on the CDC website.

Some children are at especially high risk

Children at greatest risk of serious flu-related complications include the following:

  1. Children younger than 6 months old
    These children are too young to be vaccinated. The best way to protect them is to make sure people around them are vaccinated.
  2. Children aged 6 months up to their 5th birthday
    It is estimated that each year in the United States, there are more than 20,000 children1 younger than 5 years old who are hospitalized due to flu. Even children in this age group who are otherwise healthy are at risk simply because of their age. In addition, children 2 years of age up to their 5th birthday are more likely than healthy older children to be taken to a doctor, an urgent care center, or the emergency room because of flu. To protect their health, all children 6 months and older should be vaccinated against the flu each year. Vaccinating young children, their families, and other caregivers can also help protect them from getting sick.1Thompson W, Shay D, J, Weintraub E, et al. Influenza-Associated Hospitalization in the United States. JAMA 2004; 292 (11):1333-1340.
  3. American Indian and Alaskan Native children
    These children are more likely to have severe flu illness that results in hospitalization or death.2,32CDC. Deaths Related to 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Among American Indian/Alaskan Natives — 12 States, 2009. MMWR. 2009;58(48);1341-1344.
    3CDC. Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2010. MMWR. 2010; 59(No.RR-8).
  4. Children aged 6 months through 18 years with chronic health problems, including:
    • Asthma
    • Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury].
    • Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
    • Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
    • Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
    • Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
    • Kidney disorders
    • Liver disorders
    • Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
    • Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids); and
    • Children who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy

Children should be vaccinated every flu season

Children should be vaccinated every flu season for the best protection against flu. For children who will need two doses of flu vaccine, the first dose should be given as early in the season as possible. For other children, it is good practice to get them vaccinated soon after flu vaccine becomes available, if possible by October. However, getting vaccinated even later can be protective, as long as flu viruses are circulating. While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community.

 

Source: State of California Contractors State License Board, “Children, the Flu and the Flu Vaccine” http://www.cdc.gov/ website. Accessed January 27, 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/children.htm

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.

Filed Under: Events, Theme 135

January 27, 2016 By Julian

About the Flu

Health-Wellness_Icon_MedicalEmergencyKitThe most recent FluView report shows increasing flu activity in the United States. Further increases in activity are expected in the coming weeks. Flu activity most often peaks in February and can last into May. It is not too late to get your flu vaccine this season. Flu vaccines this season have been updated to better match circulating viruses and most circulating viruses so far are still like the recommended vaccine viruses for this season.

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. More than 145.6 million doses of flu vaccine have been distributed in the United States. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for protection to set in, making now the perfect time to get vaccinated. Find a Vaccine.

 

Source: State of California Contractors State License Board, “Influenza (Flu)” http://www.cdc.gov/ website. Accessed January 27, 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.

Filed Under: Events, Theme 135

January 27, 2016 By Julian

Fight the Flu!

Health-Wellness_InjectionDecember 6-12th is National Influenza Vaccination Week. If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, now’s the time! An annual flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent this serious illness.

This season, National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) takes place from December 6-12th, 2015. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established NIVW in 2005 to highlight the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. All around the country, NIVW events including press briefings and media interviews, health fairs, traditional and digital flu vaccine promotions, and educational opportunities will emphasize the importance of flu vaccination.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu!

As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, vaccination can still provide protection against the flu. Flu activity typically peaks in February in the United States, and the season can last as late as May. While there’s still time to benefit from a flu vaccine, the sooner you get vaccinated, the more likely you are to be protected against the flu when activity picks up in your community. View the map with a weekly update on flu activity within the U.S.

Who Needs a Flu Vaccine?

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu viruses. A flu vaccine offers the best protection against this serious disease. Once vaccinated, it takes about 2 weeks for the body’s immune response to fully kick in.

Have you gotten your flu vaccine? It's not too late! It's National Influenza Vaccination Week.

Have you gotten your flu vaccine? It’s not too late! It’s National Influenza Vaccination Week.

Are You at High Risk?

There are certain people who are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications that can lead to hospitalization or even death. Pneumonia and bronchitis are two examples of flu-related complications. Those at high risk include:

  • Pregnant women
  • Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
  • People 65 years of age and older
  • People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease)

If you are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications, you should get vaccinated. Those who live with or care for you should also be vaccinated to help protect you.

A full list of people at high risk of serious complications from flu because of age or other medical conditions is available at the CDC Flu website.

In addition, there are other people for whom vaccination is especially important:

  • 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)

Some Children Need 2 Doses of Flu Vaccine

NIVW serves as a reminder to parents, guardians and caregivers of children that some children 6 months through 8 years of age need two doses of influenza vaccine to be fully protected this season. Children in this age group who are getting vaccinated for the first time will need two doses of vaccine, spaced at least 28 days apart. Some children who have received influenza vaccine in prior seasons will also need two doses. Your child’s doctor or other health care professional can tell you if your child needs two doses.

The Flu Vaccine–You’ve Got Choices!

There are several flu vaccine options for the 2015-2016 flu season.

Traditional flu vaccines made to protect against three different flu viruses (called “trivalent” vaccines) are available. In addition, flu vaccines made to protect against four different flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines) also are available. CDC does not recommend one flu vaccine over another. Vaccination should not be delayed, even if an option is not available. The important thing is to get a flu vaccine every year.

The trivalent flu vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses and an influenza B virus. The following trivalent flu vaccines are available:

  • Standard dose trivalent shots that are manufactured using virus grown in eggs. These are approved for people ages 6 months and older. There are different brands of this type of vaccine, and each is approved for different ages. However, there is a brand that is approved for children as young as 6 months old and up. Most flu shots are given with a needle. One flu vaccine can be given with a jet injector , for persons aged 18 through 64 years.
  • A standard dose trivalent shot containing virus grown in cell culture, which is approved for people 18 and older.
  • A standard dose trivalent shot that is egg-free, approved for people 18 and older.
  • A high-dose trivalent shot, approved for people 65 and older.
  • A standard dose intradermal trivalent shot, which is injected into the skin instead of the muscle and uses a much smaller needle than the regular flu shot, approved for people 18 through 64 years of age.

The quadrivalent flu vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. The following quadrivalent flu vaccines are available:

  • A standard dose quadrivalent shot.
  • A standard dose quadrivalent flu vaccine, given as a nasal spray , approved for people 2 through 49 years of age

(*”Healthy” in this instance refers to children 2 years through 8 years old who do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.)

In addition to your doctor’s office, there are various locations in your community where flu vaccine is available, like your pharmacy, grocery store or local health department. Use the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to find flu vaccine locations near you.

If you’re not sure or have questions about which vaccine to get, talk with your doctor or health care professional. For a complete list of who should and should not get vaccinated, visit Guidelines for Flu Vaccination.

Over the years, hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received flu vaccines. Once vaccinated, you can enjoy this holiday season knowing that you have taken the single best step to protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu.

Get vaccinated today, and help spread the word by   taking a flu vaccination selfie photo or video, tagging your post with #VaxWithMe, and then post on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and/or YouTube. All selfies appropriately tagged will be displayed on CDC’s interactive #VaxWithMe timeline.

 

Source: State of California Contractors State License Board, “Fight the Flu!” http://www.cdc.gov/ website. Accessed January 27, 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/features/fighttheflu/

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.

Filed Under: Events, Theme 135

January 27, 2016 By Julian

IN: National Influenza Vaccination Week

Dear Valued Customer,

December 7-13th is National Influenza Vaccination Week. If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, now’s the time!  While this issue of “———————-“ includes important information about the flu, an annual flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent this serious illness.

Flu activity typically peaks between December and February in the United States, and the season can last as late as May. While there’s still time to benefit from a flu vaccine, the sooner you get vaccinated, the more likely you are to be protected against the flu when activity picks up in your community. Read on for more important prevention information.

We appreciate your continued business and look forward to serving you.

Kind regards,

Filed Under: Events, Theme 135

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