FLU VACCINE IS IN!
We recommend vaccinating early in the season.
Our first clinics in August were fully booked within several hours, so email or call us today!
Flu Vaccine doses are sent to us in separate shipments over several months, so we do expect to run out at points during the season.
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INFLUENZA: THE DISEASE
Influenza (The Flu) is a contagious respiratory illness cause by influenza virus and can cause mild to severe illness.
Transmission
- Spread from person to person in respiratory droplets of a cough or sneeze.
- Touch of respiratory droplets on another person or object and ten touches their own mouth and nose before washing their hands.
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3 IN 1 THIS YEAR
This year's formulations of flu vaccine covers 3 strains, which covers all the flu strains your child might be exposed to this winter. - Influenza A (H1N1)
- Influenza A (H3N2)
- Influenza B
The vaccine can protect against illness from the flu viruses, or it can make illness milder if people are exposed to a different but related flu virus. We recommend our patients are vaccinated every year. The body's immunity from the vaccine decreases after a year, so the body needs a new vaccine to renew immunity. IMMUNIZE NOW--STAY PROTECTED ALL SEASON! We recommend flu vaccine now, even if last year's vaccine was given late in the season. |
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SHOT vs. NASAL SPRAY:
The Two vaccines we have available are the shot and the nasal spray. Both work equally well; the shot is the standard default vaccine. The nasal spray is good for kids who are particularly afraid of shot, but it is more expensive and we receive a smaller number of doses of spray. The nasal spray cannot be given under age 2 years, and it also should not be given to asthmatics that have wheezed or needed to use an asthma medication in the past year. CDC FluMist Info CDC Flu Vaccine Info |
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HOW MANY DOSES OF FLU DOES YOUR CHILD NEED?
Most patients who have received any kind of flu vaccine in the past will only need one dose of this year's vaccine, but patients under the age of 9 years getting flu vaccine for the first time may still need two doses. |
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IF YOUR CHILD IS ALREADY SCHEDULED FOR A VISIT:
If you have a visit booked for any other reason in the next few months, your child (and siblings) should receive a flu vaccine at that visit. Some illnesses prevent a child from receiving vaccines, we will book another time to return for a flu shot. |
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT IN A FLU CLINIC:
We will book clinics as we receive vaccine. Clinic dates will be posted on our website and by email. We will likely
schedule Evening or Weekend clinics once/month. The next Saturday clinic is scheduled for 8/25/12 at noon. Daytime clinics are Fridays 10am-10:45am. Clinics are flu vaccine only visits, and sick children will not be seen at this time. Email Linda@chmed.com You will receive an email confirmation with the time of your clinic appointment. We will most likely not have flexibility to offer a choice of times. Or call the office at 978-975-3355. |
