B2
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
NOVEMBER 2018
The best way to prevent flu is
with a flu vaccine. CDC
recommends that everyone 6
months of age and older get a
seasonal flu vaccine each year by
the end of October. However, as
long as flu viruses are circulating,
vaccination should continue
throughout flu season, even in
January or later. Keep in mind
that vaccination is especially
important for certain people who
are high risk or who are in close
contact with high risk persons.
This includes children at high
risk for developing complications
from flu illness, and adults who
are close contacts of those
children.
Children younger than 5 years of
age – especially those younger
than 2 years old – are at high risk
of serious flu-related
complications. A flu vaccine offers
the best defense against getting flu and spreading it to others. Getting
vaccinated can reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits, missed work and school days,
and prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in children. Information on
this page summarizes vaccine recommendations for children. Visit this page to
learn more about
vaccine benefits.
Flu illness is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year,
millions of children get sick with seasonal flu; thousands of children are
hospitalized and some children die from flu. Children commonly need medical
care because of flu, especially children younger than 5 years old who become
sick with flu.
• Complications from fluamong children in this age group can include:
• Pneumonia: an illness where the lungs get infected and inflamed
• Dehydration: when a child’s body loses too much water and salts, often
because fluid losses are greater than from fluid intake)
• Worsening of long-term medical problems like heart disease or asthma
• Brain dysfunction such as encephalopathy
• Sinus problems and ear infections
• In rare cases, flu complications can lead to death.
Children at greatest risk of serious flu-related complications include the
following:
1. Children younger than 6 months old
2. These children are too young to be vaccinated. The best way to protect
them is to make sure people around them are vaccinated.
3. Children aged 6 months up to their 5th birthday
4. Since 2010, CDC estimates that flu-related hospitalizations among
children younger than 5 years ranged from 7,000 to 26,000 in the
United States. Even children in this age group who are otherwise
healthy are at risk simply because of their age. Additionally, children 2
years of age up to their 5th birthday are more likely than healthy older
children to be taken to a doctor, an urgent care center, or the
emergency room because of flu. To protect their health, all children 6
months and older should be vaccinated against flu each year.
Vaccinating young children, their families, and other caregivers can also
help protect them from getting sick.
5. American Indian and Alaskan Native children
6. These children are more likely to have severe flu illness that results in
hospitalization or death.
7. Children aged 6 months through 18 years with chronic health problems.
Flu shots are available same day appointment at the
Strawberry Wilderness Community Clinic by calling 541 575-0404
87814