HHS HealthBeat (January 04, 2008)

Protecting babies from the flu

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

Had your flu vaccination yet? It’s far from too late. Flu season has months left, so there’s still plenty of time to catch the infection if you leave yourself unprotected.

And people who leave themselves at risk might create risks for others. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Anne Schuchat:

``Children under 6 months can get very sick from influenza, but they’re too young to be vaccinated. The best way to protect them is to make sure everyone in the family and all of the caregivers are vaccinated against influenza.’’ (12 seconds)

Most children 6 months and older, as well as most adults, can and should get vaccinated. Vaccination can also provide secondhand protection to people who have egg allergies and can't get vaccinated, as well as protecting infants.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

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

Last revised: January, 04 2008