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Who Should Get A Flu Shot? You Should

September 28th, 2010 by Davis Liu, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Health Tips, News, Opinion
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It’s that time of year again. Children back at school. Football season is underway and baseball playoffs to start soon. The television networks are rolling out their new shows.

And it’s also time to think about getting flu shots. I just got mine today as I have done annually since going to medical school.

Compared to last year, there isn’t as much news about the flu or the flu vaccine. This year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives clear guidelines that everyone aged 6 months and older should get the influenza vaccine. 

This month the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all healthcare providers should be required to get the influenza vaccine.

And one fact that hasn’t gotten much attention is whether the 2009 H1N1 virus is included in the 2010-2011 vaccine: Is it? Yes, it is. This year’s vaccine will be as safe as vaccines in past years as the production process is unchanged. Inclusion of the 2009 H1N1 virus will not be a problem. Read more »

*This blog post was originally published at Saving Money and Surviving the Healthcare Crisis*

The Wrong Way To Convince Employees To Get The Flu Shot

November 15th, 2009 by Edwin Leap, M.D. in Better Health Network, Opinion, True Stories
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To inject or not to inject, that is the question

Last week I took my wife and children for our yearly family flu vaccination.  The one Elysa used to call her ‘flea shot.’  Lord knows we’ve had enough fleas; if that would work, I’d consider it.  But I digress.

The same day, I went to work and found that the employee health/infection control folks were offering H1N1 vaccines.  I was told that as long as I took it in the opposite arm, I could go ahead and have mine.  So, possessor of two punctured arms, I went back to work and felt fine.  In fact, that was four days ago and I still feel fine. Read more »

*This blog post was originally published at edwinleap.com*