Flu Shot Information Videos
"I Never Get the Flu" No more excuses- you need a flu vaccine. [CDC Video]	"Protect Yourself, Protect Your Baby" If you're pregnant, a flu shot is your best protection against serious illness from the flu.  [CDC video]

You should know:

The flu is not the same as the common cold or an intestinal illness 

• Seasonal flu (influenza or simply "the flu") is a severe respiratory illness which assaults Florida between October and March. Well-known for its fever, body-aches and cough, the flu virus does not respond to antibiotics.
• Respiratory flu can be serious. It can interrupt your life for 3-5 days causing you and family members to miss school, work and holiday gatherings. Complications from the flu can result in hospitalization and even death.
• Even children and healthy adults can get severe complications from the flu.  During the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, the H1N1 virus led to an unusual number of severe infections and deaths among adults younger than 65, pregnant women, and children. The H1N1 virus is expected to be present this flu season.

Getting vaccinated is the single best way to protect yourself & your family

• This year's seasonal flu vaccine protects against three different flu strains, including the H1N1 (swine) flu virus, so only one vaccine is needed for most people.
• For full protection, children younger than 9 years of age who receive a flu vaccination for the first time will need two doses of vaccine given at least four weeks apart.
• The nasal spray flu vaccine is an option for healthy children who are at least 2 years old and healthy adults up to age 50.
• People who get vaccinated against seasonal flu can expect to have immunity within two weeks of vaccination. The protection you get from the vaccine will continue throughout the flu season.

Who should get vaccinated?

• Everyone six months old and older should be vaccinated, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).
• Children under age 5 and adults 65 years of age and older are the two groups most likely to suffer complications from the flu.
• Pregnant women can suffer a miscarriage if they get the flu.  Getting a flu shot is completely safe anytime during pregnancy.
• Since babies under six months are too young to get a flu shot, all members of their households including daycare providers should get vaccinated. This protects the infants by preventing those around them from getting ill.
• People with certain health conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart disease, suppressed immune system and other health issues) are also at high-risk for pneumonia and other potentially life-threatening complications following a bout with the flu.

What is pneumonia?  Should I get a pneumonia shot?
Pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening illness that may arise as a complication resulting from a flu infection.  Ask your health care provider if the pneumonia vaccine is right for you.

• More information on Pneumonia...

Fluzone High-Dose Flu Vaccine - Recommended for people over 65 years of age
As people age, their immune system’s function tends to decrease. This makes older adults not only more susceptible to infections, but also less responsive to the standard-dose flu vaccination. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has included the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine in their flu vaccine recommendations for adults 65 years of age and older. Talk with your doctor about getting the Fluzone High Dose Vaccine, which provides a higher dose of vaccine and may provide greater immunity in those over age 65.  This is a payable benefit through Medicare Part B. For additional information, contact your health care provider.

More information - Flu Vaccine Types

• Flu Shot (Inactivated Influenza Vaccine) - Information Statement (VIS) [cdc] 
• LARGE TYPE version
• Spanish language version
• Nasal Spray (Live, Attenuated Vaccine) - Information Statement (VIS)  [cdc]
  • Spanish language version
• Questions & Answers about FluMist® [Centers for Disease Control & Prevention]

Flu Prevention

In addition to getting a vaccination (flu shot), you can help protect yourself against the flu by following these simple steps:

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap or sanitizer.
2. Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue, not your bare hand. 
3. Stay at home when you are sick.  Keep sick children home.  Stay home until free from fever at least 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medicine).

• More information on Flu Prevention
  Including demonstration videos on proper handwashing and other healthy habits.