Colorado has entered flu season once again. Passport Health Colorado began offering flu vaccine in our offices in September, with a large number of walk-in and corporate flu clinics taking place during October and early November. Flu season in Colorado is generally October – April, with the peak usually occurring in January – February. Some years, however, flu cases have been reported as early as October, so an early flu shot is your best protection.
Any child under 9 years old who is being vaccinated against flu for the first time this season will need to receive two doses, given at least 4 weeks apart. All others need a single dose of vaccine. You can expect immunity from your flu vaccine within 2 weeks for 6 months or more. The main side effect from the injectable vaccine is muscle soreness; from the FluMist intranasal vaccine, nasal congestion. You cannot get the flu from either version of the flu vaccine. Some people do respond to vaccination with muscle aches and mild fever; this is a boosted immune response, not influenza symptoms.
The 2008 flu guidelines recommend vaccination for the following populations: all children aged 6 months – 18 years old, those 50 and older, all pregnant women, anyone taking aspirin therapy, anyone with a chronic medical condition, anyone living in long-term-care facilities, all healthcare personnel, any household contacts of children under age 5, and those traveling outside the United States to areas with flu activity. The bottom line is that flu vaccine is right for anyone who wants to prevent getting the flu this season or transmitting it to others.
This year’s flu vaccine contains three strains of flu virus that are most likely to infect humans this year. We stock thimerasol-free flu vaccine, as well as preservative-free vaccine doses (which may contain a tiny trace of thimerasol from the manufacturing process).
Our offices still have flu vaccine in stock:
Pediatric Thimerasol- Free (ages 6-35 months): SOLD OUT
Pediatric Thimerasol-Free (ages 3-18): SOLD OUT
Adult Thimerasol -Free (ages 18+): AVAILABLE, cost is $25
Flu Vaccine(contains thimerasol)- (ages 6 months+): AVAILABLE, cost is $25
FluMist Nasal Spray (ages 2-49): AVAILABLE, cost is $40 (Thimerasol-free)
If you haven’t received your flu shot this year, please call us to schedule a quick visit at any of our five offices (Colorado Springs, Centennial, Lakewood, Cherry Creek, and Boulder) at 303-442-8729 or 719-387-5528.
Written by: Rebecca Sundhagen, RN, BSN; Nurse Manager for Passport Health
