SoonerCare companion, fall 2013

              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!