Got your flu shot?

Mar 1, 2010 — The Yuma Daily Sun

Stephanie A. Wilken

Mar. 1, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Yumans who didn't get their seasonal flu shot this year may want to get it next time around after a government panel changed its recommendations to include nearly all Americans.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices had gradually been expanding its recommendation for flu shots -- 85 percent of Americans were already included.

On Wednesday, the panel voted to recommend a seasonal flu vaccination for everyone except babies younger than 6 months and those with egg allergies or other unusual conditions.

That's nothing new for Yuma County, said Health Director Becky Brooks.

"Our recommendations have always been anything over 6 months (old)," she said.

But Yuma County residents who'd still like their flu shot this year will have to look elsewhere. Brooks said the Health District has been out of the seasonal flu vaccine since last month.

Brooks said many local health care providers and pharmacies still offer the flu shot. People interested in receiving one should contact their local health care provider or pharmacy.

But with the flu season wrapping up soon, everyone, including those who got a shot this season, should get a new shot later this year, she said.

That's because the flu vaccine changes every year to reflect changes in the virus.

Flu shots are already recommended for a majority of the U.S. public, including pregnant women, children older than 6 months, adults 50 and older, people with certain chronic health conditions, health care workers and those who take care of people in a recommended group. The only people who weren't specifically included were healthy people ages 19 to 49 who don't have close contact with anyone at risk of flu and its complications.

But only about 33 percent of Americans actually get a flu shot, and usually millions and millions of doses get thrown away annually.

The panel's recommendation now goes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC usually follows the panel's advice and spreads the message to doctors and hospitals across the country.

Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0239-42460392