HHS HealthBeat (September 25, 2009)

The two-flu season

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

2009 H1N1 influenza is getting the attention – which makes sense because it’s new, a pandemic variety, and people have no immunity against it. But this is a two-flu season. Seasonal flu also will be out there.

An expert panel, the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, gave its recommendations on seasonal flu vaccination to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC’s Dr. Tony Fiore says anyone who wants to reduce the chance of getting seasonal flu – or giving it to others – should get vaccinated.

[Dr. Tony Fiore speaks] "Almost 90 percent of the U.S. population is included in one or more of these groups. Children younger than 6 months old cannot receive influenza vaccination. To protect them, their household and their close contacts – such as child care providers – should be vaccinated."

Learn more at hhs.gov.

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

Last revised: May 7, 2011