Show #364 Airing Sunday, 11/26/06
Summer flu by and now it’s time to get ready for winter’s flu season. Should you get a shot? Here to clue us in on this year’s flu is Dr. Ronald Savrin, medical director of Ohio KePRO.
Question: This time of year, we hear a lot about the flu— influenza. How serious a problem is it?
Answer: Every year, 5-20% of the U.S. population will get the flu. You can become quite ill. More than 200,000 are hospitalized each year due to the flu.
Each year, 36,000 people die from the common flu in the United States.
Question: What are the best ways to protect yourself— to prevent— the flu?
Answer: The single best way to protect yourself is to get the flu vaccination every year. It is important to do this yearly because the vaccine is slightly different from year to year. The vaccine is made to protect you from that year's most likely flu viruses. It protects you for the entire year.
The most common vaccine is the "flu shot," which contains a killed virus. It is approved for people older than 6 months of age and is appropriate for both healthy individuals and those with chronic medical conditions.
It is important to get the flu shot early - before flu season starts. It takes about 2 weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective, and, during that two-week period, you are still at risk of catching the flu.
Question: In the past, we've had a shortage of vaccine. Is that going to be a problem this year?
Answer: No, there is no shortage of vaccine this year. However, we have heard that some private care physicians are having difficulty obtaining the vaccine, because large purchasers are a priority for the manufacturers.
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. The elderly are more at risk as are those with chronic illnesses and young children 6 months to 2 years. If you are not clearly in these groups and wonder if you should receive a flu shot, talk to your physician.
Medicare Part B covers vaccination, so there is no cost to the beneficiary.
Question: In the past, we've had a shortage of vaccine. Is that going to be a problem this year?
Answer: No, there is no shortage of vaccine this year. However, we have heard that some private care physicians are having difficulty obtaining the vaccine because large purchasers are a priority for the manufacturers.
Take our cue, and you can avoid the flu. Call to learn where flu shots are available this year. My thanks to Dr. Ronald Savrin.
