It’s the time of year again that we ring in the New Year with family and friends. In the midst of all the holiday season hustle and bustle, you may have forgotten to get your flu vaccination. Well, it’s not too late. The flu vaccine is one of the most important resolutions you can make this year.

Most Americans underestimate the severity of the flu. The flu is a contagious disease that can cause mild to severe illness and can lead to hospitalization and even death. Each year in the U.S., an average of 36,000 people die and more than 200,000 are hospitalized from serious flu-related complications. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is strongly urging people of any age with chronic medical conditions, to get vaccinated. While vaccination is important to all, those with a chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or cancer are especially at risk.

“Serious complications from this respiratory disease can include bacterial pneumonia and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as heart and kidney disease, asthma, diabetes and cancer,” cautions Dr. Jeanne Santoli, Deputy Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) at the CDC. Vaccination is the single best way to protect yourself and people you love from influenza. It is safe and effective and cannot cause the flu. If you think it’s too late to stave off the discomforts and possibly serious complications of the flu, you’re in for a treat. Since the flu season usually peaks in January or later, getting vaccinated after the New Year can still provide protection against influenza. With greater supplies of flu vaccines available this year than ever before, there’s no reason to wait.

In addition to vaccination, everyone can take simple steps to avoid the flu:
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
• Sneeze or cough into a tissue and throw it away immediately.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick. Don’t risk getting others sick by going to work or school.
• Avoid direct contact with infected persons or contaminated surfaces.
• Do not share anything that goes in the mouth, such as drinking cups and straws.
• Make an extra effort to clean commonly touched surfaces, such as countertops, tables, doorknobs, telephones and TV/stereo remote controls.
• Eat healthy, get plenty of rest and stay physically fit to help the body fight off illness.

Once you are vaccinated, it takes about two weeks for the body to build up immunity to the flu. That’s why vaccination is encouraged as soon as vaccines becomes available in your community, and anytime from September through January or later, when the flu season typically peaks. Even if influenza has already hit your community, you may benefit from vaccination, Santoli adds.

Because different influenza viruses circulate each season, a new flu vaccine must be made each year to fight these viruses. That’s why it’s critical to get a flu vaccine every year.

To learn when or where to get a flu vaccine, contact your doctor or local health department. For more information, call the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.cdc.gov/flu.

Source: Center for Health Communication Academy for Educational Development.

This article originally appeared in the January 2008 issue of aakpRENALIFE.

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