Influenza vaccine

Children and teenagers receiving long-term aspirin therapy and children between the age of 6 months and 2 years should also receive a flu shot each year. Mercury-free vaccines are preferred in younger children.

The flu shot is also recommended for health care providers who work in high-risk settings and direct contacts or caretakers of high-risk individuals.

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The flu shot is encouraged for:

People who have in-home contact withinfants who are youngerthan 6 months old
People who provide essential community services
People living in dormitories or other crowded conditions
Anyone who wants to reduce their change of getting influenza

Children under age 9 require two shots one month apart the first time that they receive influenza vaccine. Older children and adults onlyrequire a single shot each year.

BENEFITS

Most people achieve protection from the flu approximately 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine.

Immunization of high-risk people reduces the risk ofdeath from the flu. Immunization of those caring for high-risk peoplereduces the risk ofspreading the disease to other people who mayhave a higher thanaverage risk for complications.

RISKS

Most people have no side effects from the flu shot. Soreness at the injection site or minor aches and low grade fever may be present for several days.

Unlike the swine flu vaccine used in1976, flu vaccines in recent years have shown no association with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in children, and an extremely small increase in the risk of GBS in adults. This risk is far outweighed by the number of severe flu cases prevented by immunization.

As is the case with any drug or vaccine, there is a rare possibility of allergic reaction.

WHO SHOULD NOT RECEIVE A FLU VACCINE

According to the CDC, some people should not be vaccinated without first talking toa doctor. In general, you should not get a flu shot if you:

Had a severe allergic reaction to chickens or egg protein
Have a fever or illness that is more than "just a cold"
Had a moderate to severe reaction after a previous flu vaccine
Are a woman who is, or might be, in the first trimester of pregnancy (first 3 months of pregnancy)
Have ever been paralyzed due to Guillain-Barre Syndrome

If you meet any of the above criteria,ask yourdoctor if a flu vaccine is safe for you.

References:

Buonagurio DA, Bechert TM, Yang CF, et. al. Genetic stability of live, cold-adapted influenza virus components of the FluMist/CAIV-T vaccine throughout the manufacturing process. Vaccine. 2005 Nov 21; [Epub ahead of print] .

Harper SA, Fukuda K, Uyeki TM, Cox NJ, Bridges CB; Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention and control of influenza. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2005 Jul 29;54(RR-8):1-40. Erratum in: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2005 Aug 5;54(30):750.