Young Kids Twice as Likely to Get the Flu as Adults
By Your Healthy Outlook Staff at 16 December, 2008, 8:30 pm
It’s Not too Early to Vaccinate Kids Against The Flu
(ARA) – School-age children would rather do chores, take a test or do homework than have to stay at home sick, according to the recent MedImmune Parent-Child Influenza Survey conducted by Harris Interactive. Being sick, they say, makes them feel bored, annoyed, gross and even sad. The National Center for Health Statistics estimates 38 million school days are missed each year by kids sick with the flu – that’s a lot of unhappy children.
Parents can help kids avoid missing school because of the sniffles, aches and pains associated with the flu by making sure they get a flu vaccination every year as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is even more emphasis on this for the 2008-2009 season, as an advisory panel for the CDC recently expanded its flu vaccination recommendations to include all school-age children through 18 years of age. And, they recommend kids be vaccinated as soon as vaccine is available for the season.
“Unfortunately, while many parents are aware that they can have their children vaccinated against the flu, according to a recent flu survey, too few parents think their children need to be,” says Dr. Norman “Chip” Harbaugh, a pediatrician with the Children’s Medical Group in Atlanta. “It’s important that parents understand that the flu can be a serious illness and they should act now to vaccinate their children.”
If flu vaccine is available at your health care provider’s office when your kids go in for back-to-school check-ups, sports physicals or annual well-child visits, see if you can check flu vaccination off of your “to-do” list for the fall. Many offices and clinics may already have a supply of the needle-free, nasal spray flu vaccine FluMist (Influenza Virus Vaccine Live, Intranasal), which is approved for eligible people 2 to 49 years of age and has been shown to help provide protection throughout the flu season, even when administered early. By vaccinating during already-scheduled visits more children can be protected, which is especially important given the expanded flu recommendations.
Regardless of which kind of influenza vaccine option you choose, the important thing is to get vaccinated — every year. This is especially important for young children, who are twice as likely as adults to get the flu each year. The flu is more than just a cold, it’s a contagious disease that can be easily transmitted from person to person. In addition to fever, sore throat and headache, flu symptoms may also include fatigue and muscle aches that can last for more than two weeks.
Visit www.FluMist.com for more information on FluMist availability in your area as well as important safety information and complete prescribing information
Simplify Flu Vaccination
- Get vaccinated at already-scheduled visits to your healthcare provider. Can’t squeeze in another office or clinic visit to get an annual flu vaccine? If vaccine is already available, parents can have their child vaccinated at back-to-school check-ups, sports physicals and annual well-child visits.
- Participate in a school-based vaccination program when offered. Many schools host flu vaccination programs for students and communities, so check to see if that is an option for your family.
- Know your vaccine options. Did you know there is a needle-free flu vaccine for eligible people two to 49 years of age? FluMist (Influenza Virus Vaccine Live, Intranasal), like all vaccines, is not for everyone, so check with your health care provider about which flu vaccine is the best option for you and members of your family. Visit www.FluMist.com for information on availability in your area as well as important safety information and complete prescribing information. It’s important to note that children less than 24 months are not eligible for FluMist. FluMist should not be given to people with asthma or children under five with recurrent wheezing.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Important Safety Information
FluMist is a live weakened influenza virus vaccine approved for the prevention of certain types of influenza disease in children, adolescents and adults 2 to 49 years of age. FluMist may not protect everyone who gets it. FluMist is for intranasal administration only.
FluMist is not right for everyone. FluMist must not be given to: people with history of hypersensitivity to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin or arginine; people with life-threatening reactions to previous influenza vaccinations; and children and adolescents receiving aspirin or aspirin containing therapy.
Children less than 24 months are not eligible for FluMist. The following people may not be able to get FluMist, or may be able to get it only in certain situations: people with asthma or active wheezing, or children less than 5 years of age with recurrent wheezing; people with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome; people with a weakened immune system; people with long-term medical conditions including heart disease, kidney disease, and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes; and pregnant women.
If you or your child falls into one of these groups, be sure to tell your healthcare provider. They will decide if FluMist is right for you or your child.
Most common side effects were generally mild and included runny nose or nasal congestion, sore throat, and fever.
Please see complete Prescribing Information for FluMist, call (877) FLUMIST (877-358-6478) or visit http://www.flumist.com for additional information.
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