The CDC is urging Americans to get their flu shot this year.
August 21, 2011- This year’s flu vaccine provides protection against H1N1 and seasonal flu just like the vaccine did a year ago but skipping it this year is not a good idea says the CDC. They insist that everyone age six months or older should be vaccinated. The force of the vaccine reduces during the year and those vaccinated last year need to do so again this year to be fully protected.
Usually children between six months and 8 years of age need to receive two doses administered four weeks apart but if they received flu shots last year they will only need one dose while all other in that age bracket will need the two doses.
Six companies have been selected to manufacture and distribute the flu vaccines in the United States. There is a new vaccine this year that is available for those ages 18 to 64 and is an intradermal vaccine which gets administered into the skin instead of the muscle. This uses a very small needle says the Food and Drug Administration.
CDC’s National Center for Respiratory and Immunization said that individually it was impossible to determine how quickly the antibodies breakdown in the vaccine and the only thing known is that immune response will be less over time and people should not count on being protected by the vaccine for a second year.
