Fall 2013 SC Companion[1] 1 |
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Fall 2013 The arrival of fall means the start of the flu season, which typically lasts from October to May. It is criti-cal for all SoonerCare members to get the annual flu shot to avoid the flu and be healthy this fall season. Getting a flu shot protects you from coming down with the flu. And although the flu shot doesn’t always provide total protection, it’s worth getting. SoonerCare covers the flu shot for both children and adults. This can be done at your Medical Home (MH). Sometimes drugstores, senior centers, and workplaces also of-fer flu shots. If you have questions about getting a flu shot, contact your Medical Home. This year’s annual flu shot will offer protection against H1N1 flu (swine flu) virus, in addition to two other influenza viruses that are expected to be in circulation this flu season. A new vaccine that protects against four strains of the virus will also be available, as will a high-dose flu vaccine for adults age 65 and older. Influenza is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications, particularly to young children and to older adults. Flu shots are the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated annually against influenza. Who should get the flu vaccine? The CDC recommends annual influenza vaccinations for everyone age six months or older. Vaccination is especially important for people at Remember when you taught them to share … high risk of influenza complications, including: • Pregnant women • Older adults • Young children • Chronic medical conditions can also increase your risk of influenza complications. Examples include: • Asthma • Cancer or cancer treatment • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) • Cystic fibrosis • Diabetes • HIV/AIDS • Kidney or liver disease • Obesity Who shouldn’t get the flu shot? Check with your medical home be-fore receiving a flu vaccine if you: • Are allergic to eggs as some flu vaccines contain tiny amounts of egg proteins. If you have an egg allergy or sensitivity, you’ll likely be able to receive a flu vaccine — but you might need to take special precautions, such as waiting in your MH office for at least 30 minutes after vaccination in case of a reac-tion. There’s also a flu vaccine that doesn’t contain egg proteins, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, for use in people age 18 and older. Consult your MH about your options. • Had a severe reaction to a previ-ous flu vaccine. The flu vaccine isn’t recommended for anyone who had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine. Check with your MH first, though. Some reactions might not be related to the vaccine. FAQ’s Can the vaccine give me the flu? No. The flu vaccine can’t give you the flu. But you might develop flu-like symptoms — despite getting a flu shot for a variety of reasons, including: • Reaction to the vaccine: Some people experience muscle aches and fever for a day or two after receiving a flu shot. This may be a side effect of your body’s production of protective antibodies. The nasal vaccine can cause runny nose, headache and sore throat. • The 2-week window: It takes about two weeks for the flu shot to take full effect. If you’re exposed to the influenza virus shortly before or during that time period, you might catch the flu. What kind of protection does the flu vaccine offer? Flu vaccines aren’t 100 percent effective. According to the CDC, in past flu seasons when the match between flu vaccine and circulat-ing strains of flu virus is close, a flu shot is between 60 and 70 percent effective in warding off influenza in all age groups combined. (Source: Mayo Clinic) everyone needs a flu shot!
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Title | Fall 2013 SC Companion[1] 1 |
Full text | Fall 2013 The arrival of fall means the start of the flu season, which typically lasts from October to May. It is criti-cal for all SoonerCare members to get the annual flu shot to avoid the flu and be healthy this fall season. Getting a flu shot protects you from coming down with the flu. And although the flu shot doesn’t always provide total protection, it’s worth getting. SoonerCare covers the flu shot for both children and adults. This can be done at your Medical Home (MH). Sometimes drugstores, senior centers, and workplaces also of-fer flu shots. If you have questions about getting a flu shot, contact your Medical Home. This year’s annual flu shot will offer protection against H1N1 flu (swine flu) virus, in addition to two other influenza viruses that are expected to be in circulation this flu season. A new vaccine that protects against four strains of the virus will also be available, as will a high-dose flu vaccine for adults age 65 and older. Influenza is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications, particularly to young children and to older adults. Flu shots are the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated annually against influenza. Who should get the flu vaccine? The CDC recommends annual influenza vaccinations for everyone age six months or older. Vaccination is especially important for people at Remember when you taught them to share … high risk of influenza complications, including: • Pregnant women • Older adults • Young children • Chronic medical conditions can also increase your risk of influenza complications. Examples include: • Asthma • Cancer or cancer treatment • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) • Cystic fibrosis • Diabetes • HIV/AIDS • Kidney or liver disease • Obesity Who shouldn’t get the flu shot? Check with your medical home be-fore receiving a flu vaccine if you: • Are allergic to eggs as some flu vaccines contain tiny amounts of egg proteins. If you have an egg allergy or sensitivity, you’ll likely be able to receive a flu vaccine — but you might need to take special precautions, such as waiting in your MH office for at least 30 minutes after vaccination in case of a reac-tion. There’s also a flu vaccine that doesn’t contain egg proteins, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, for use in people age 18 and older. Consult your MH about your options. • Had a severe reaction to a previ-ous flu vaccine. The flu vaccine isn’t recommended for anyone who had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine. Check with your MH first, though. Some reactions might not be related to the vaccine. FAQ’s Can the vaccine give me the flu? No. The flu vaccine can’t give you the flu. But you might develop flu-like symptoms — despite getting a flu shot for a variety of reasons, including: • Reaction to the vaccine: Some people experience muscle aches and fever for a day or two after receiving a flu shot. This may be a side effect of your body’s production of protective antibodies. The nasal vaccine can cause runny nose, headache and sore throat. • The 2-week window: It takes about two weeks for the flu shot to take full effect. If you’re exposed to the influenza virus shortly before or during that time period, you might catch the flu. What kind of protection does the flu vaccine offer? Flu vaccines aren’t 100 percent effective. According to the CDC, in past flu seasons when the match between flu vaccine and circulat-ing strains of flu virus is close, a flu shot is between 60 and 70 percent effective in warding off influenza in all age groups combined. (Source: Mayo Clinic) everyone needs a flu shot! |
Date created | 2013-12-20 |
Date modified | 2013-12-20 |