Health Note: Flu Shots for the Whole Family

Give It a Shot

By Christina Elston

With the flu bug poised to strike, this is the time to consider flu vaccinations for your family. The national Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now recommends flu shots or inhaled flu vaccine every year for virtually everyone ages 6 months to 18 years.

It’s also a good time to review your child’s other immunizations and make sure they’re up to date. You can check out the government-recommended schedule. To learn about an alternative schedule proposed by renowned pediatrician Bob Sears, M.D., head  to www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook.

And don’t think you’re off the hook if your kids are older. A recent CDC study has found that adolescents are more likely to be behind in their immunizations than younger children.
 
The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that all adolescents be immunized against hepatitis B, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus-diphtheria (Td) and varicella (chicken pox). This year, they’ve added vaccines to prevent meningococcal disease (meningitis), pertussis and human papillomavirus (HPV). 

For more health news and notes, and to see our HealthE blog, check out the Health Notes Archive page.