No one would deny that the Holiday Season adds a little stress on our already busy lives. With holiday shopping, attending special events, decorating, baking and preparing for guests, it is easy to ignore the personal duty of getting a flu shot. Experts at the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us that in America alone “Flu Shot Likely Prevented 13 Million Illnesses, 110,000 Hospitalizations from 2005-2011.”
The Florida Lung Doctors worry that Americans take the flu shot completely for granted. Did you know that the “U.S. is the only country with universal influenza vaccine recommendations? The CDC suggests everyone aged 6 months and older should receive an annual dose of the vaccine. Yet many people get too busy to pay attention to this health precaution.
The Florida Lung Doctors are campaigning to urge people to get their flu vaccinations now! If you have forgotten, or not made time for your vaccination, then put it on your Holiday To Do List. The clock is ticking, and flu season is here! Kwanza, Christmas and Hanukkah would be no fun if you or a loved one were sick in bed, and the flu is no way to begin your New Year!
The scientists involved in the collection of the above statistics declare, “These results confirm the value of influenza vaccination, but highlight the need for more people to get vaccinated and the imperative for vaccines with greater efficacy, especially in the elderly.”
Just because you are healthy does not mean you don’t need a flu shot. “Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others.”
It is shocking to note that between 1976 and 2007, flu-associated deaths in the United States range from 3,000 to 49,000 people. Perhaps we should have school 
children make flu-shot reminder greeting cards for their grandparents because 90 percent of the deaths on record occur to people 65 years of age and older.
This year, it is not too late!
Flu vaccines became available in October, and vaccinations should continue to be offered as late as May. You need to know that it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies within you to grow strong enough to fight off the influenza virus infection. Thus, you should get vaccinated soon, before everyone around you begins to get sick and the influenza has spread throughout your community.
Although the Florida Lung Doctors are reminding everyone to get vaccinated, we want the following groups of people to be especially aware of the importance of getting their shots:
Flu Shot V.I.P.’s
- People who have asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease,
- Pregnant women,
- People younger than 5 years (and especially those younger than 2),
- People 65 years and older,
- People who live with others who are at high risk of developing serious complications,
- Caregivers of people with asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease,
- Nannies, babysitters, and caregivers of infants less than 6 months old,
- Health care personnel. (We know you are always the last ones to think of yourselves!)
Did You Know?
An infected person can spread their flu to you from seven feet away? It travels through the air on droplets from that little cough, sneeze, or even speech. The Doctors and Staff at the Florida Lung, Asthma, and Sleep Center Specialists want you to stay healthy. We urge you to join the battle against the flu with these simple precautions:
- Get your flu shot.
- Stay away from sick people.
- Get your rest each night.
- Stay home and rest if you do get sick.
- Be fanatic about washing your hands often with soap and water, or using the popular hand cleanser.
- Clean and disinfect common surfaces at home, work and school.
Did you know you could be infected by some one who is not even showing symptoms because they are on Day One of the flu life cycle? Some one with the flu can continue to infect you for 5-7 days after they start showing symptoms. According to the Center For Disease Control, “that means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.” The Florida Lung Doctors say, “That is another good reason to get your flu shot!”
And now, the Doctors and staff of the Florida Lung, Asthma & Sleep Center join together in wishing you:
The Joy of Family,
The Happiness of Friends,
And All the Wonders Of A Healthy,
Happy, Holiday Season!
