Don't let the flu get to you or your children

Everyone is at risk for getting seasonal (aka regular) influenza (flu), but some people (including parents and children, working adults, those aged 50 and up, and those with chronic illnesses) have a greater risk and should try to get the seasonal “flu shot” every year. Vaccination typically starts in the fall and continues until spring; I already got mine when I was at my doctor’s last week. If a doctor’s appointment is not in your foreseeable future, then below is a list of placesthat will be offering the seasonal vaccine for a small fee. Your children should still visit their pediatrician(s) as many of these “flu clinics” do not offer the vaccine to children, or only to children 9 years and older. My children's pediatrician has not opened the schedule for vaccination, yet.

The American Lung Association can help you locate the nearest flu clinicanywhere in the U.S.. You may even have seen signs at the community pharmacies. To learn more about the seasonal flu, visit the CDC’s web site. Here are also their tips on how to fight the flu, or just to stay generally healthy. Consider the flu shot for you and members of your family. Although it will not prevent your child from being sick from all of possible flu viruses, it will minimize the chances of getting the most common ones, reduce the severity of the infection if your child should acquire it, and prevent spread to others.

The FDA approved four new vaccines against the H1N1 virus yesterday. They will be available for adults next month. Studies are still under way to find the optimal dose for children. The vaccines have been tolerated well by the patients.