New Flu Strategy

Published: October 13, 2004

by: Susan Phillips

The flu season runs from November through March, and most years, October is a prime month for flu shot clinics aimed at protecting as many people as possible.

This year, worries about contamination have lead authorities to pull about half the planned supply of vaccine off the market . So the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics have come up with a list of groups who should receive priority in the allocation of the flu vaccine, in light of the shortage, and are asking all others to hold off. The AAP has some information on the immunization portion of its site.

The CDC recommendations are available in several languages. . The CDC also has a flu Q&A online.

While flu is a serious illness, causing about 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. each year, most of those who become very ill are not children. Nationally, 93 children younger than 18 died of flu between October 2003 and early January 2004, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Among children, these are the priority groups for receiving flu shots:

· Children aged six months through 23 months.

· Children and adolescents aged six months through 18 years with chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma.

· Children and adolescents aged six months through 18 years who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the proceeding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications).

· Children and adolescents aged six months through 18 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and may therefore be at risk for developing Reye Sndrome after influenza.

· Children and adolescents aged 2 years through 18 years who are household contacts of children less than six months of age.

· Children and adolescents aged six months through 18 years who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house persons at any age who have chronic medical conditions.

· Adolescent females under 19 years of age who will be pregnant during influenza season.

The American Lung Association lists the following common flu symptoms. If the illness is detected early enough, antiviral medications can reduce its intensity and duration.

· Temperature of 101 F or above (often higher in children, from 103 to 105 F)

· Cough

· Muscle ache

· Headache

· Sore throat

· Chills

· Tiredness

· Feeling lousy all over

Children with flu symptoms should be kept home from school, and not return until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.

While flu is a serious illness, causing about 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. each year, most of those who become very ill are not children. Nationally, 93 children younger than 18 died of flu between October 2003 and early January 2004, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

For children and adults who won’t be getting the flu shot, good hand-washing habits are the best defense. Many young children need reminders about how to wash their hands – using warm water and soap, and scrubbing for more than a few seconds. The CDC suggests that young children sing a verse or two of the Happy Birthday song while washing, to make sure they take enough time to do a thorough job.

Other helpful hygiene habits: teach children to cough or sneeze into the crook of their elbow rather than into their hands. If they sneeze into a tissue, or wipe or blow their nose, they should throw the tissue away immediately and wash their hands. And parents can help children stay well by making sure they get plenty of rest, eat well, and drink lots of fluids.

Children with flu symptoms should be kept home from school, and not return until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.


add new comment | email this page | printer friendly version