Do You Need a Flu Shot?

Despite the fact that the 2004-2005 influenza season has been predicted by some to be one of the worst in years, there may be a shortage of vaccine. One major manufacturer has been prevented from shipping their product due to contamination concerns.

The Centers for Disease Control are now recommending that only those people in high risk categories get a flu shot. The other major supplier Aventis has been approached to increase vaccine production, but that may not improve supplies to acceptable levels.

You should get a flu shot if you are in one of following groups of high risk individuals

• all children aged 6 through 23 months
• adults aged 65 years and older
• persons aged 2 through 64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions
• all women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
• residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• children aged 6 months through 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
• health-care workers involved in direct patient care
• out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children who are less than 6 months in age.

If you are not in one of the high risk groups the CDC is asking that you not get a flu shot. Additionally if you have a severe allergy (i.e., anaphylactic allergic reaction) to hens' eggs or have previously had onset of Guillain-Barré syndrome during the 6 weeks after receiving influenza vaccine, you should not have a flu shot.

If you are not in one of the groups recommended to get the flu shot, you can still take some measure to help avoid the flu.

• avoid direct contact with people who have the flu
• exercise regularly
• eat a balanced diet
• drink lots of water

If you do develop the flu be sure to contact your doctor. There are antiviral medications that can help to lesson the effects of the flu.