10-6-09

Flu shots

Influenza is more than just an inconvenience.  Flu can be a significant health threat for individuals of all ages, especially seniors and children who have other medical conditions.

Influenza sends more than 200,000 Americans to the hospital each year and it is among the leading causes of death for senior citizens.  But getting a flu vaccination can help prevent it.  Dr. Janak Koirala, associate professor of infectious diseases at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, says this year there is another strain of flu in addition to the usual seasonal variety.

SOUND BITE:  “. . . we have this new strain of influenza, also known as H1N1 or swine flu.  And we saw a lot of cases earlier this year beginning in the spring.  And as it gets colder in the later part of fall and in winter there is a good possibility that we might see another spike or another epidemic of the same strain of the influenza.”

Dr. Koirala says flu vaccinations definitely reduce the severity of the symptoms and decreases the spread of the disease.  He says there will be limited amounts of H1N1 flu vaccine at the beginning of the season.

SOUND BITE: “In the United States in the beginning it looks like the flu vaccine that will be available will be a inhalational type of vaccine, which are generally given only to people who do not have any kind of lung disease or do not have any kind of  immune compromising situations.  So the beginning vaccine might be administered only to healthy young adults and young children.”

Dr. Koirala says later in the season, he expects the H1N1 flu vaccination shots will be available to people in high risk health groups.   For seasonal flu, he advises everyone over the age of 60 to get a vaccination.  It is especially important for individuals who have underlying health conditions.  For information about getting a flu vaccination, contact your primary care physician or local public health department. 

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.