Flu Vaccines: Should you or Should you not get it?
Getting a flu shot this fall should be unproblematic now that the H1N1 pandemic is over, officials say.
While last years swine flu outbreak inspired nation-wide panic and long lines at health clinics, retailers have plenty of vaccine in stock this year.
In addition, one shot will cover most of the flus expected this season. According to the Washington Post, this years flu vaccine is a three-in-one that will guard against the H1N1 virus and two other strains.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius told USA Today that the Affordable Care Act will require Medicare and private health plans to offer full flu vaccine coverage free of co-pays or deductibles. In addition, uninsured children will be covered under the Vaccines for Children program.
"That will keep people healthy on the front end," said Sebelius.
The federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends that all Americans over the age of 6 months receive the vaccine. Also, the sooner you get the injection, the betterit will take about two weeks to develop the antibodies that provide protection against the flu.
The flu shot is made from chicken eggs, but dont be concerned about salmonella after this summers massive egg recall, says Monifa Thomas of the Chicago Sun-Times. The eggs used for vaccine production dont come from the same farms as those used for food production, and they are painstakingly probed for any pathogens.
The vaccine is already available early from retailers like Walgreens, CVS, and Target.
