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| Letters to Dear Abby
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| Kids Getting Flu Vaccine May Require Two Shots |
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| September 22, 2004 |
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| DEAR
ABBY: Last year, you kindly published a letter from Dr. Deborah Wexler of
the Immunization Action Coalition highlighting the importance of influenza
immunization. Thanks in part to your efforts, record numbers of people were
vaccinated early in the 2003-2004 season. Your letter could not have
appeared at a better time, because the United States experienced an early
flu season and children were severely impacted. By mid-December, 42
influenza-related deaths were reported in children under 18 years of age,
half of them in children younger than 4. |
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| Children between the ages of 6 months to 23
months remain especially vulnerable to complications from influenza
infection. This year, the influenza vaccine is recommended for all children
between 6 months and 23 months. Parents, household contacts and caregivers
of children between those ages should also be vaccinated. These children,
many of whom are receiving the vaccine for the first time, may require TWO
shots for complete protection. To assure two shots can be given, parents
should seek out the vaccine for their infants early. |
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| We in the medical community want the public to
be aware of these important new recommendations. Additionally, we want to
make sure health-care professionals are aware. The influenza vaccine is
extremely effective and can save lives. |
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| -- MICHAEL FLEMING, M.D., PRESIDENT, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS;
CARDEN JOHNSTON, M.D., PRESIDENT, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS; JOHN C.
NELSON, M.D., PRESIDENT, AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION |
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| DEAR DRS. FLEMING, JOHNSTON AND NELSON: I'm pleased to help you spread the
word. |
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| Readers, I am told that influenza kills more
than 36,000 people every year, and together with pneumonia is the eighth
leading cause of death. It's a tragedy that common myths surrounding the flu
vaccine sometimes prevent people from getting it. These myths include the
widely held mistaken belief that if you aren't vaccinated in September or
October, it is too late to do it, and that only people over the age of 65
need it. Older citizens are not the only people who can benefit from flu
shots; children and those who live and work closely with them can also
benefit. |
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| This letter to Dear Abby was written by our friends at the
American Academy of Family Physicians,
American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association, in follow-up
to our letter published by Dear Abby at the beginning of last year's
(2003) influenza vaccination season (reproduced farther down this page). |
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| Flu Shots are Good Protection—
And Won't Give You the Flu |
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| October 14, 2004 |
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DEAR ABBY: Each year in the United States, influenza kills
36,000 people and hospitalizes 110,000 more. Influenza's impact could be
greatly reduced if your readers would put "schedule flu vaccination" on
their to-do lists today. |
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The vaccine is extremely effective. Despite this, many people
for whom flu vaccine is recommended fail to get immunized. Some presumptions
that keep people from being vaccinated: |
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| Myth
1: |
The flu shot
can give you the flu. |
| Fact: |
The influenza
shot cannot give you the flu. The injectable vaccine is made from
"killed" influenza virus. |
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| Myth
2: |
If you don't
get the vaccine in October or November, it's too late. |
| Fact: |
Although
it's best to be vaccinated in October or November for maximum
protection throughout the flu season, people who are immunized in
December, January and February are protected. |
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| Myth
3: |
Only people
65 and older need the influenza vaccine. |
| Fact: |
Flu vaccine
is recommended for everyone age 50 and older. But ANYONE 6 months or
older can benefit from it. It's hard to believe, but children 24
months and younger are hospitalized with flu complications at the same
rate as people 65 and older. |
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| The following are some of the people for whom influenza
vaccine is recommended in the United States: |
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| 1. |
People 50 and older. |
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| 2. |
Anyone 6 months and older who has medical
problems such as heart or lung disease (including asthma), diabetes,
kidney disease or a weak immune system. |
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| 3. |
Women who will be 14 or more weeks
pregnant between December and March, which is flu season. |
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| 4. |
Health-care workers. |
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| 5. |
Caregivers who work with or live with
people with the problems listed above.
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| 6. |
Anyone who wants to avoid the risk of
spreading the flu (and its possible complications) to a loved one or
friend. Flu vaccine protects not only you, but also the people you care
about. |
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| A nasal spray form of influenza vaccine is newly licensed in
the U.S. this year. For more information about it, your readers should
consult their health-care professionals. |
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| -- DEBORAH WEXLER, M.D., EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, IMMUNIZATION ACTION COALITION |
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| DEAR DR. WEXLER: Thank you for your timely reminder. From
personal experience, I can say that neither I nor my husband has contracted
the flu since we began getting flu shots. Other excellent candidates who
should consider being immunized include police and fire personnel, teachers,
bus drivers, and people who come in contact with the public. |
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Readers, if you have questions about influenza vaccine, or
any other vaccine, you can find reliable information by calling the CDC-INFO
Contact Center (800)232-4636 or (800)CDC-INFO, or visit the Web site: www.vaccineinformation.org
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| Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips,
and was founded by her
mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box
69440, Los Angeles, CA
90069. |
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| This page was reviewed on July 21, 2008 |
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| Immunization Action Coalition • 1573 Selby Avenue • Saint Paul, MN 55104 |
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| tel 651-647-9009 • fax 651-647-9131 |
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| email admin@immunize.org |
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