Flu is Spreading to Colorado

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 -

Have You Vaccinated Your Children This Year? According to the Centers for Disease Control, Colorado is leading the US in national flu activity so far this year. The good news is that the current flu vaccine seems well-matched to currently circulating virus strains, which makes getting a flu vaccine a worthwhile investment for your family!

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control are recommending the annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older. The flu vaccine is especially important for children under 2 years of age, those with certain chronic health conditions and close contacts of children younger than 6 months of age. Because the US seasonal influenza strains in this year's vaccine are identical to 2010/11, children under 9 years who received a vaccine last year will only require one dose this year, while children under nine years who did not receive a vaccine last year will require two doses. Children 9 years and older will require only one dose regardless of previous vaccination. Parents may wonder why their children need to be vaccinated again this year if they received the same vaccine formulation last year. According to the Centers for Disease Control, immunity is expected to have declined from last season and children may not have enough immunity to be protected from getting sick this year.

Please call our Patient Care Line to schedule an appointment for the flu vaccine at your earliest convenience. For more information, see:

Live Intranasal Influenza Vaccination

Inactivated Injected Influenza Vaccination