Preventing the Flu

Flu season again?!?! Yes indeed; how time does fly. The influenza (swine/H1N1) pandemic of 2008 raised awareness of the importance of yearly influenza immunization. Last year we saw an increase in influenza immunization rates and in turn significantly lower rates of morbidity and mortality from influenza. Hopefully this decrease in disease reinforces the continued practice of yearly influenza immunization as an important piece of the overall healthcare of children and families.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) recommends influenza immunization for all individuals six months of age and older with very few exceptions. This view is shared by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Medical Association (AMA). This year, both the CDC and the ACIP have defined individuals at high risk for influenza to include parents and caregivers of children less than 5 years old. This year, there also is a big push to immunize parents of children less than 6 months of age and even immunization of pregnant women. There is also new information on immunizing children who have only minor egg allergies; in the past these individuals where not given influenza immunization. Influenza immunizations should be readily available at your physician’s office or local health clinics.

In addition to immunization, every day preventative steps can and should be utilized during the flu season. Good hygiene practices such as hand-washing and covering your mouth/nose when you cough/sneeze are important and should be taught and patterned for children. Other preventative measures include never sharing drinks, cups or eating utensils, avoiding large crowds when possible and staying home from work or school when ill.

Childtime continues to support the policy of immunization for all routine childhood diseases to include yearly immunization for influenza. However, we do recognize that the topic of immunization is a sensitive one and the immunization of any adult or child is a significant and individual decision. We encourage parents to get the facts regarding the flu shot (or nasal spray) and make an informed decision that is the best for themselves and their children. Parents should obtain information from credible sources like their personal physician or child’s pediatrician. Other sources of up-to-date information are the CDC site (www.cdc.gov) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org). Childtime also encourages its employees to receive a yearly influenza immunization and continues to utilize the “flu season” to reinforce our standard good hygiene policy.

Dr. Doug

Dr. James Douglas Campbell, MD, FAAP, MHA, LLC, is a pediatric health professional who advises Childtime on the needs of our program as a whole, and provides consultation and technical assistance on child health issues. Dr. Campbell received his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Florida and a Masters of Health Administration from the University of North Florida College of Health. He is Board Certified with the American Board of Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has been taking care of children in Jacksonville, Florida since 1981. Read more of Dr. Doug’s tips on our Family Resources page.

Share this Article