As many of you are aware, my family and I make it a priority to get our flu vaccines every year. Since my children and I are all asthmatics and I’m a Leukemia Survivor, it is even more important for us to be protected against the flu. This week is National Influenza Week from December 7th through Dececember 13th. It was designed in 2005 by the Centers for Disease Control to raise awareness about the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond.
Many people are unaware that flu activity usually peaks between December and February in the United States and can last as late as May. As long as flu viruses are circulating, it’s not too late to get vaccinated. This means that those of you who have not received your flu vaccines should still do so to protect yourselves. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against influenza disease.
People who are in the high-risk category for suffering serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease, and people age 65 years and older. Contracting the flu for them could mean developing serious flu-related complications, like pneumonia, or a worsening of existing health conditions, which can lead to hospitalization or death.
This past week, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Marietta Vazquez. Dr. Vazquez has over 20 years of experience in the medical field. She is currently an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Yale University School of Medicine. She is the Associate Director of the Pediatric Residency Program at Yale, Director of the Yale-Children’s Hispanic Clinic and Co-director of the Yale Pediatrics Global Health Tract. She has been working with the CDC and currently sits on the CDC’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices.
Here is what Dr. Vazquez had to say about how you can protect yourself and your family against the flu this season:
- What new information does the CDC have to share regarding the flu?
This week is National Influenza Vaccine Week and we can do better to make sure that everyone gets protected. Children who are 6 months and older should be getting vaccinated. Pregnant mothers who get vaccinated protect their babies. This is very important because 1 out of every 2 babies who get sick with the flu get hospitalized.
- What are some of the difficulties that Hispanics have in obtaining the vaccination?
Hispanics sometimes have difficulties with not understanding the doctor due to language barriers. Often, they don’t have access to resources and they are unaware of who should be getting the flu vaccine.
- Why is it important to receive the flu vaccination on a yearly basis?
The flu virus is always changing and the vaccine you got last year might wane and fail to protect you.
- What vaccine options are available?
The live intranasal option is available for people over age 2 and the injectable option is available for others except those who suffer from asthma. The intranasal version might make someone with asthma wheeze. However, both options are safe.
- Do you have anything else to add or want to say?
Most people are motivated to get the flu shot at the beginning of the season. Since the flu season is at its peak from December to March, it’s never too late to get the flu shot all the way through March.
The flu vaccine is the best way modern medicine currently has to protect against this potentially serious disease. You can find additional information and resources about the flu and the different complications that it can cause in the overall health of a family by visiting the CDC website. There is no better time than now to protect you and your family!
Let’s Discuss: What did you learn about the flu vaccine from this post that you did not know previously?
Disclosure: This sponsored post is being shared on behalf of the Centers for Disease Control. All opinions are 100% my own. I only recommend products or services I use personally and I believe will be “family friendly.” I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
© 2014, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
We’ve never gotten the flu shots and I’m still considering it this year. Lots of good information here, which will hep me make my decision.
Wow, the year just flies by, doesn’t it! Thanks for the reminder; We all need to go get ours.
You better get it soon Holly. Heavy flu season is usually January and February.
We were vigilant with the flu vaccines when my oldest was a lot younger. She was on aspirin therapy before she turned one for part of her Kawasaki Disease treatment. But that opened the door for Reye’s Syndrome, which if she would’ve gotten the flu, could’ve killed her in 48 hours.
I didn’t learn anything new 🙂 As a medic this is something we are aware of and we get trained EVERY year since we have to vaccinate our entire company. We get our flu vaccines in early October. It’s crazy that a lot more people aren’t getting the vaccines and they should.
I don’t think I’ve ever gotten the flu shot besides the 3 times I was pregnant and got it. My kids never get flu shots but they do get their refular vaccines and I think that’s what should be done 🙂
regular*
I got my flu shot before we left for Montana. I hope it holds up until late Spring. I sure don’t want to get the flu.
I had no idea the flu season could last into May. I hate flu season and do my best to stay healthy.
We always get our flu vaccines. I think that it’s worth it to build up the resistance. It’s hard to afford taking off sick from the flu.
I learned that Children who are 6 months and older should be getting vaccinated. I was not sure exactly what the age restrictions were on this.
We always get the flu shot. We got it right when it came out. Unfortunately there is a mess this year and we may have to re-do it.
Interesting. I knew somethings but I was educated further more. Tis the season for the flu. Thanks for sharing!
Vaccines are so important, thank you for posting this! Anyone who’s actually had “real” influenza knows that it’s nothing to mess around with.
Honestly I’m interested to hear what will happen in the future when there’s more and more strains. Every year there are new strains to prevent. Boosting the immune system is important.
We all received our flu shots but still got sick. Definitely doesn’t cover all strains.
This year I decided to not get a flu shot again this year. I was reading how the flu vaccine isn’t going to work for a lot of people this year because the virus itself has changed. I take a lot of supplements, vitamins and use essential oils and it work fairly well for me. My husband works as a repository therapist in hospitals so the shots are mandatory for him.
Flu shots are important, glad it is free in Canada and can be made in any walk-in clinic.
Fan R
@TeddyOutReady
This week? Seems late, as the flu season is well under way. Our state pushed it heavy in October, so we got our shots then.
I didn’t know we had a national week for this. The things I learn reading blogs. I never get the flu and never get the shot. I’m lucky, our family is really healthy.
The only time I ever got the flu was when I got the shot so I tend to shy away from getting them! Oh man did I get sick from that shot!! So no, I haven’t gotten a flu shot. I didn’t realize asthmatics could be adversely affected by certain versions of these shots and no I am not asthmatic!
I don’t get immunizations and never get the flu. I do take precautions though to make sure I don’t get sick.
I have a health issue that weakens my immune system, so it is especially important that I take precautions to stay healthy. My husband is always the first one in line for the flu shots and always encourages us to make appointments for one as well.