INACTIVATED INFLUENZA ("flu") VACCINE

  What you need to know for 2009-10

• Why get Vaccinated?

Influenza ("flu") is a contagious disease.
It is caused by the influenza virus, which can be spread by coughing, sneezing, or nasal secretions.
Anyone can get influenza, but rates of infection are highest among children. For most people, it lasts only a few days. It can cause: fever, sore throat, chills, fatigue, cough, headache and/or muscle aches.

• Inactivated inluenza vaccine

There are two types of influenza vaccine:
1. Inactivated (killed) vaccine, or the "flu shot" is given by injection into the muscle.
2. Live, attenuated weakened influenza vaccine (LAIV) is sparayed into the nostrils. This vaccine is described in a separate Vaccine Informaton statement.

• Who should get inactivated influenza vaccine?

1. All children from 6 months through 18 years of age.
2. Anyone with long-term health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, metabolic disease (such as diabetes), asthma, anemia and other blood disorders.
3. Anyone with weakened immune system.
4. Anyone with certain muscle or nerve disorders(such as seizure disorders or cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems.
5.Anyone 6 months through 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment.
6.Anyone who lives with or cares for people with high risk for influenza-related complications like:
   - Health care providers.
   - Household contacts and caregivers of children.

LIVE, ATTENUATED INFLUENZA VACCINE - LAIV (nasal sparay)

• Who can get LAIV?

LAIV is approved for people from 2 through 49 years of age, who are not pregnant and do not have certain health conditions. It is recommended for people who can spread influenza to others at high risk such as:
   - Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers
   - Physicians, nurses and family members or anyone else in close contact with people at risk of serious influenza.