According to research performed in the United Kingdom and published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal the influenza vaccine seems to reduce the risk of a first heart attack by 19%.

The study included people at least 40 years of age. It also found that the pneumococcal vaccine (pneumonia shot) had no affect on the occurrence of heart attacks.

Just one more reason to get the all important flu shot! bjmdjd

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Canadian Medical Association Journal · flu · flu shot · flu vaccine · influenza · pneumococcal vaccine

In the October issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Committee on Obstetric Practice (COP) issued new guidelines on getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy.

The view of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice is that all women who are going to be pregnant from October through May should get the vaccine. This is supported by the COP.

The authors of the opinion stated that the flu vaccine is an integral part of prenatal care. bjmdjd

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American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Committee on Obstetric Practice (COP) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice · flu · flu shot · flu vaccine · influenza · Obstetrics and Gynecology (journal)

Even though I did a post on the flu vaccine back on August 1st you really can’t be reminded about it too often! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older be vaccinated as soon as the vaccination becomes available which is now.

As usual the vaccine will protect against the three most likely strains of flu expected to be prevalent this flu season. This years shot will include coverage for the H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season. With more manufacturers than before there is not expected to be a shortage of vaccine this season.

Vaccination is particularly important for those who are at high risk of flu complications including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health problems like diabetes, asthma, heart and lung disease, and people 65 years of age and older. While children younger than 6 months of age are at a high risk they are too young to be vaccinated. It is important to vaccinate the people that take care of them and will be around them instead.

And once again…THE FLU SHOT DOES NOT AND CANNOT CAUSE THE FLU!!!  bjmdjd

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · flu shot · flu vaccine · health · wellness

First, let me apologize for the two week break between posts. Frankly I haven’t come across much that I thought you needed to know and I’m determined not to post just for the sake of doing it.

Now to the meat of the matter. It is too early to be giving much thought to the flu vaccine here on the 1st of August. What got me to thinking about it is the fact that the Food and Drug Administration announced on Friday that they had approved which strains will be included in the vaccine for the upcoming flu season. This years vaccine will include the H1N1 strain that everyone had trouble deciding whether to get or not in a separate vaccine last season.

I was planning on listing some great info on the flu vaccine on this post but I found a release by the FDA which you can read by clicking on the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm   bjmdjd

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flu season · flu vaccine · Food and Drug Administration · H1N1 · health · influenza · wellness

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has voted to recommend that all adults receive the annual influenza vaccine beginning next flu season (2010 – 2011). Prior to this recommendation the focus was on people between the ages of 6 months and 18 years old and over 50 years old, anyone at risk of complications from the flu, and those in close contact with high risk individuals.

Now the new recommendation encourages everyone over the age of 6 months to be vaccinated unless they have a contraindication. Since vaccine makers have plenty of lead time for planning an increased manufacturing schedule it is hoped that the increase need for vaccine will not cause a shortage.  bjmdjd

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · flu shot · flu vaccine · health · universal flu vaccine recommendation · wellness