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Preventing the Flu

By: Gretchen Bolander
Updated: October 15, 2010
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It's that time of year - flu season and time to think about getting a flu shot.  Medical experts say this year everyone should get one.  Freeman Pharmacy Specialist Jeff Huffman said, "It's very effective even if they don't hit exactly the three vaccines.  If you were exposed to a strain that wasn't in the vaccine, you could be protected thru a phenomena called cross protection."

That means a level of protection due to the similarities between different strains.  This year - the shot includes protection from H1N1, another version called H3N2 and a strain of influenza B.  Huffman says that is even more important for some groups.  "Your high risk groups are all children, adults over the age of 50, anyone with chronic medical conditions such as kidney disease, COPD, asthma, heart condition, diabetes.  They're all definitely at high risk.  Pregnant women are defintely at high risk.   People with immuno- suppresion."

Huffman points out that flu season runs from October to May in the Four States and it's a good idea for patients to schedule their shots immediately.  

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