Influenza Vaccination Week

December 6-12, 2015

National Influenza Week

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a national observance to highlight the importance of receiving the influenza vaccine. Or simply the "flu shot".

The vaccination protects against 3-4 flu viruses. So even if you have already had the flu, receiving a shot is still a good idea.

The holiday season is a good reminder to get the flu shot.

The CDC (Center of Disease Control and Prevention) recommends the ful vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older.

Also people from the high risk groups are highly encouraged to be vaccinated. These people include: young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health issues such as asthma, diabetes, heart/lung disease and the elderly (65 year old and older).

Why do you need yearly vaccinations?

The flu viruses change every year so the vaccine is updated yearly to reflect the ever changing virus. The vaccine's protection declines over time so a vaccine is recommended every year.

It takes about two weeks after the vaccination for the body to build up the antibodies your body needs to fight the virus.

December through February is the most active time for the flu in the US. However, the flu can still be seen into May.

There are several types of influenza.

Seasonal

Avain

Swine

Variant

Pandemic

Other

Please visit

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw/nivw-key-points.htm and click on the influenza type to learn more about a specific influenza.