The 2010 influenza season officially begins in October, but cases of flu in some areas of the country have already been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The infection usually peaks in January, February and March and usually ends by May. It is impossible to predict ahead of time how bad the flu season might be, but as we learned with the H1N1 (swine flu) last year, it’s best to be prepared.

Fortunately the H1N1 bug never became the nightmare that it could have been. But it was bad enough, killing almost 13,000 people and sickening more than 60 million in the U.S. alone.

This year’s flu shot will provide protection against the three strains of flu expected to be most prevalent: H1N1, a new strain called H3N2 and influenza B. The swine flu virus will most likely affect the young, as it did this past year, and H3N2 will cause illness among the elderly. Those who had either the seasonal or the swine flu vaccine last year are recommended to get this year’s flu shot as well. There is no anticipated shortage of flu vaccine this year, as there was last year.

The new 2010 vaccine is now becoming available to the public. I recommend that people get immunized as soon as it is available, as there is no good reason to delay it. After being immunized, it takes about two weeks to become effective and it will last all through the flu season.

Although I recommend that everyone be immunized, these following groups are the most at risk:

* Pregnant women.

* Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old.

* People 50 years of age or older.

* Those with chronic medical conditions or who live in nursing homes.

* Those who work in the health care industry

* Those who live with persons with chronic disease who are at high risk for the flu

* Those who live with or take care of infants younger than 6 months old (these children are too young to be vaccinated).

The viruses used in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from the flu shot. However, some minor side effects can occur, including soreness, redness or swelling at the site of the injection; a low-grade fever; and generalized aches

If these side effects occur, they usually show up soon after the shot and last 1 to 2 days.

Some people should not be vaccinated. They are the following:

* People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs

* Those who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past

* Infants younger than 6 months of age

Also, those who are sick with a fever should wait until they recover to be vaccinated.

So, should you get a flu vaccine this year? All I can say that as I look back over my past 37 years of medical practice, the vast majority of patients whom I have treated for symptoms of influenza have been people who were not immunized.

Read more:Press-Banner – Your Health Consider vaccination as flu season approaches

This morning I sent an email to Poudre Valley Health System employees detailing a new policy that requires them to get a flu shot as a condition of employment.

We will provide the vaccine for free, in the workplace, to employees. When we receive our vaccine supply, we’ll let employees know how long they have to get the shot.

We know this might not be popular with some of our employees, but we’re doing it to protect our patients. Unvaccinated healthcare workers can spread flu to patients, families, visitors and co-workers.

PVHS is not the first health system to do this. More and more hospitals and health systems are adopting similar policies, like this one in Philadelphia chronicled in the Philadelphia Inquirer this week. Last week, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology in America (SHEA), a group of infectious disease experts, called for mandatory vaccines for all healthcare workers.

The policy allows for medical or religious exemptions, but requires employees seeking those exemptions to have forms signed by their medical provider or clergy, respectively.

Here’s the letter I sent employees:

September 9, 2010

Dear PVHS Employee:

Patient and employee safety are very important at PVHS. With flu season on the way, PVHS is implementing a new policy that requires all PVHS employees to be vaccinated against influenza (flu). We also strongly encourage contracted clinical personnel, students and trainees, and volunteers to be vaccinated.

You may ask why we are making vaccination mandatory. It is a fact that unvaccinated healthcare workers can spread flu to patients, co-workers, families and visitors.

Another fact: The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a seasonal flu vaccination each year. We believe this mandatory measure will help prevent the spread of the influenza virus.

I know this is a bold step. Some may not agree with it. And some may have medical or religious reasons for not getting the vaccine. We have considered and addressed these potential issues in the new PVHS Policy No. IC-41, “Employee Influenza Vaccination Program,” which I encourage you to read.

The policy requires all PVHS employees to be vaccinated against influenza each year. It allows for medical or religious exemptions, but requires employees seeking those exemptions to have forms signed by their medical provider or clergy, respectively. Each request for exemption will be evaluated by Employee Health Services. Failure to get a flu shot or receive an approved exemption will result in disciplinary action.

The good news is that PVHS will provide the seasonal flu vaccine to all PVHS employees, in the workplace, at no cost.

When we have our supply of vaccine, we will notify all employees and designate a start and end date to get the vaccine.

Please review the additional materials attached to this letter.  If you have personal concerns that are not addressed in these materials, please contact Employee Health at 624-1950 or 495-8229.

Believe me, I don’t like shots any more than you do. But I know getting my flu shot means doing my part for a healthier PVHS and community. Please do your part by complying with this important policy.

Thanks for all you do to make PVHS world-class!

Sincerely,

Rulon Stacey, FACHE

The Michigan Department of Community Health is taking steps to educate the public about the flu.

The department says the best way to protect against influenza is to get vaccinated each year. And officials are recommending that everyone 6 months of age and older receive a seasonal flu vaccine.

The 2010-2011 influenza season is nearing. The department says it’s likely that 2009 H1N1 viruses and regular seasonal viruses will cause illness in the United States again this flu season.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

In its upcoming October 2010 issue, the American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending mandatory flu vaccinations for health care workers. Here is the current release from the AAP website:

Health-care associated influenza outbreaks are a common and serious public health problem that contribute significantly to patient morbidity and mortality and create a financial burden on health care systems. In a new policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all health care personnel should be required to receive an annual influenza vaccine. The policy, “Recommendation for Mandatory Influenza Immunization of All Health Care Personnel,” published in the October 2010 print issue of Pediatrics (published online Sept. 13), states that “despite the efforts of many organizations to improve influenza immunization rates with the use of voluntary campaigns, influenza coverage among health care personnel remains unacceptably low.” Annual influenza epidemics account for 610 660 life-years lost, 3.1 million days of hospitalization, and 31.4 million outpatient visits. Flu generates a cost burden of approximately $87 billion per year in the United States. Mandatory influenza immunization for all health care personnel is “ethically justified, necessary and long overdue to ensure patient safety,” according to the statement. The influenza vaccine is safe, effective, and cost-effective, so health care organizations must work to assuage common fears and misconceptions about the influenza virus and the vaccine.

I worked in a flu lab for a year and was part of the team trying to understand the genetic nature of the flu virus. How did it change it’s genetic makeup so quickly each year that we needed to update our flu vaccination annually. Little did I expect to have to deal with questions on what to do about egg allergy. You see, until recently, all flu vaccines were prepared in eggs. Now, there are some brands available that are not made in eggs. Should a child or adult with egg allergy try to brave the flu season naturally or should they protect themselves by taking a vaccine until recently only made in eggs.

If you have never had the flu, chances are you may never get the flu. You may want to get expert advice on whether you need any protection at all. If you or your child has gotten the flu in the past, chances are that you and/or your child will get the flu again, and it may be best to get advice on the safest vaccination options if egg allergy is an issue. There is an excellent article in the British Medical Journal in 2009 by Lajeunesse and colleagues on egg allergy and flu vaccines.

Egg free vaccines have recently been researched and produced using a new technique in a mammalian cell line instead of eggs. Surface antigen, split virion, subunit, split flu, and inactivated flu vaccines are grown in hens’ eggs and do contain residual egg proteins. During the 2008 flu season, some but not all flu vaccines reported maximum egg protein content above 1.2 ug/ml with levels up to 2ug/ml. The proposed safety egg content is less than 1.2ug/ml (0.6ug per dose). Some vaccines often have much less residual egg protein, although still grown in egg cultures, such as virosomal vaccines, which are highly purified.

The youngest and the oldest are most at risk from succumbing to the flu. Certain elderly are recommended a much higher dose of flu vaccine to be effectively protected. It is important to note that egg-free mammalian culture based flu vaccines are now available or under clinical trials and should be given preferentially under expert advise to individuals allergic to egg. If an egg-free vaccine is unavailable, then check the maximum egg content of the vaccine and ensure that it is below 1.2ug/ml. The vaccination should be done in a center experienced in management of anaphylaxis if the doctor advises so. A single dose protocol is effective for individuals with less severe allergy. A 2 dose split protocol is recommended for asthma prone or anaphylaxis prone individuals.

Flugen is under clinical trial and showing promise. Celvapran (Baxter) a pandemic vaccine for A/H1N1 and Optiflu (Novartis) a seasonal flu vaccine have good safety records for egg allergy.

It is predicted that the H1N1 will return in 2010 fall around the same time as it did in 2009. The spring flu may have been displaced by the fall flu. If so, then it may be a race against time to vaccinate our kids safely and effectively before the fall H1N1 flu season descends upon us. Take advise, be cautious, and make a wise decision.

As for eating naturally to prevent the flu, there are oranges, providing vitamin C, there is garlic reputed to keep a family save through many recipes and always ginger, against inflammation. Gargling with salt daily in flu season is very helpful.

The 2010 influenza season is quickly approaching, and One Medical Group is now offering seasonal flu vaccines!  The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against three different flu viruses, including the H1N1 virus.

Beginning 9/8/10, we’ll be offering flu shots at all of our downtown San Francisco offices:

• 110 Sutter Street
• Two Embarcadero Center
• 559 Clay Street

Shots will be given on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday between 8:00am – 11:00am & 12:00pm – 3:00pm.

You won’t need an appointment, but we recommend you review the official Vaccine Information Statement before you come to the office. The vaccine costs $25 and is covered by most insurance plans.

Check out our Influenza FAQs for more info, including advice about prevention and treatment of influenza.

Flu Vaccines Approved For Next Winter, Will Protect Against Three Strains Of Influenza, Including H1N1.

The flu vaccines approved for the 2010-11 mature defend against three strains of influenza, including the 2009 H1N1 pandemic swine flu strain, the United States Food and Drug Administration has announced. Because the 2009 H1N1 virus emerged after motion had started on model year’s seasonal flu vaccine, two fork vaccines were needed after season to protect against seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1 virus.

This year, bourgeoisie will require only one vaccine, the FDA said. Each year, experts from the World Health Organization, the FDA, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other institutions analyze flu virus samples and patterns unexcited worldwide in disposal to clinch which strains are most likely to cause illness during the upcoming season.

* b/brisbane/60/2008-like virus. there is always a chance that viral strains other than those predicted to pass out will cause the most illnesses in a flu season, the fda said. however, even if there’s not an claim match between the vaccine and the circulating virus strains, the vaccine may help reduce the beastliness of the illness or help prevent flu-related complications. So “The best way to protect yourself and your set against influenza is to get vaccinated every year,” Dr Karen Midthun, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in an activity news release. “The availability of a redone seasonal influenza vaccine each year is an important tool in the prevention of influenza-related illness and death”.

The make names of vaccines for the upcoming flu season are: Afluria, Agriflu, Fluarix, FluLaval, FluMist, Fluvirin, Fluzone, and Fluzone High-Dose. In a distinct news release, officials at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminded Americans that the mechanism expanded its 2010-11 influenza vaccination recommendations in a referendum early this year optimumdiabetics.herbalrio.com. Prior guidelines had focused on specific high-risk groups, such as children and people with underlying health conditions, but for the coming season, the CDC recommends that all forebears over 6 months of age get the annual flu vaccine.