Daily HealthBeat Tip

Flu shots for babes and toddlers

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I�m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Flu shots are not just for grown-ups. Little ones are at high risk of complications from the flu. So the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded its recommendations about which youngsters should get the annual flu shot. The CDC�s Dr. William Atkinson tells about it:

Beginning this year, all children six months through 59 months of age should receive annual influenza vaccination." (eight seconds)

The CDC says these up-to-five-year-olds should get the shot, which has killed virus. There�s also a nasal vaccine made from live, weakened virus. The CDC says the nasal spray works for healthy people from five years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

October and November is the best time to get vaccinated. You�re protected that way from the start of the flu season.

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I�m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: October 4, 2006

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