Early Flu Shot Season This Year

Concern over the swine flu epidemic has been wide spread since April of this year. There is a gleam of hope, however, for the near future. Reports covering swine flu vaccinations tell us that efforts are under way to keep the disease under control and measures are being taken to ensure that those who need the vaccine the most will receive it. The process of being vaccinated this flu season, however, may prove different from previous flu season. The regular flu vaccination will be joined by two additional vaccines, which are intended to protect against the threatening swine flu disease.

This fall's flu season may turn out to be a bit different from previous flu seasons. Typically, one needs just one flu shot. This flu season, however, you will need a total of three flu shots. The first shot will help protect you from the "regular seasonal flu". The other two flu shots are intended to "protect against the new swine flu". It is recommended that people get this first flu shot "as early as this month".

Over one hundred million doses of the regular seasonal vaccine will be available to the public by the end of August. The five manufacturers that serve the United States "are finishing production of seasonal flu vaccine earlier than usual". The goal is to vaccinate a substantial portion of the population with the regular seasonal flu vaccine. Ideally as many people as possible will receive the regular vaccine and the swine flue vaccine. It is thought that the success of this season's vaccination will be "dependent on the willingness of the consumer" to obtain multiple shots.

This fall, multiple flu vaccine shots may protect people from the regular flu and the new swine flu. At this time, the swine flu vaccine is available in two separate doses. Though it is possible to combine the regular flu vaccine with the swine flu vaccine, it is impossible for the coming flu season since production is already underway. Two separate lists have been developed with the intention to identify individuals who need the regular flu vaccines and the swine flu vaccines most. Individuals thought to needing the regular flu vaccination most include "the elderly, health care workers, and pregnant women". The swine flu vaccination list looks just a little different, including women and health care workers, but not elderly people since they "seem to have some immunity to the disease".

This season, it is wise for one to take measures to protect themselves from the flu. This year the major distribution companies are getting a head start on distribution of regular flu vaccines, but that does not mean that there will be enough to go around. Individuals on either of the aforementioned lists will take precedence over the rest of the population. It is imperative that one continues to, among other things, wash their hands thoroughly, cover their mouth when coughing, and stay home should they get ill.

Sources:
Mike Stobbe. Ouch! Early flu shot season comes with 3 jabs. Associated Press. August 6, 2009.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090806/ap_on_he_me/us_med_swine_flu_shots