Flu Shots Available – come in & get your influenza vaccine – September 17, 2013

The flu season is upon us and our practice has received a shipment of Influenza (flu) Vaccines. We have the current years Influenza Vaccines available for current or new patients at our practice (460 Greenfield Ave. Suite #3, Hanford, CA 93230).

Types of Flu Shots (Influenza Vaccines) Available

1. A high-dose flu shot approved for people 65 and older
2. Regular Flu Shot – 6 months and older

Find out WHICH Flu Shot you need & WHY below…

Types of flu Shots

The regular seasonal flu shot is “intramuscular” which means it is injected into muscle (usually in the upper arm). It has been used for decades and is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. Regular flu shots make up the bulk of the vaccine supply produced for the United States.

High Dose Flu Shot – 65 yrs and older

Fluzone High-Dose is an influenza vaccine, manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur Inc., designed specifically for people 65 years and older.

Human immune defenses become weaker with age, which places older people at greater risk of severe illness from influenza. Also, ageing decreases the body’s ability to have a good immune response after getting influenza vaccine. A higher dose of antigen in the vaccine is supposed to give older people a better immune response, and therefore, better protection against flu.

Data from clinical trials comparing Fluzone to Fluzone High-Dose among persons aged 65 years or older indicate that a stronger immune response (i.e., higher antibody levels) occurs after vaccination with Fluzone High-Dose. Whether or not the improved immune response leads to greater protection against influenza disease after vaccination is not yet known. An ongoing study designed to determine the effectiveness of Fluzone High-Dose in preventing illness from influenza compared to Fluzone is expected to be completed in 2014-2015.(CDC.gov)

More information on High Dose Flu Shot can be found at the FDA’s website.

Call to schedule your flu shot: Our Phone # 559-584-5770 flu shot Hanford CA

Why Should I Get the Flu Shot?

“Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Over a period of 31 seasons between 1976 and 2007, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. During a regular flu season, about 90 percent of deaths occur in people 65 years and older. The “seasonal flu season” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

During this time, flu viruses are circulating in the population. An annual seasonal flu vaccine (either the flu shot or the nasal-spray flu vaccine) is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal flu and lessen the chance that you will spread it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.” (CDC.Gov)