September 24, 2002

WASHINGTON – Flu-shot season begins next week, and this year marks the first time parents are being urged to get babies and toddlers vaccinated because influenza sends its tiniest patients to the hospital as often as it does the elderly.

But there’s a catch: Unlike the one yearly shot most people need, the first-ever inoculation for young children requires two doses a month apart. So experts are urging parents not to delay that pediatrician visit, to be sure their kids get both shots in time.

There’s plenty of flu vaccine this year, according to federal health officials who estimate that 94 million doses will be shipped.

Still, it takes awhile to send vaccine to every doctor’s office and vaccination clinic. The government is calling for people at the highest risk of severe illness during flu season to be first in line in October – and urging healthy people to wait until November to get their shots.

High-risk people include:

• Everyone older than 50.
• Anyone with chronic medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to the flu, such as heart or lung disorders including asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or weak immune systems.
• Children ages 6 months to 2 years.
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
• Women who will be more than three months pregnant during the flu season.
• Children of any age on long-term aspirin therapy.

Stanislaus County officials are following the new recommendations, but people are advised not to take their young children for flu shots until after Nov. 18.

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Elderly will be served first

Beginning Oct. 24, flu shots will be available for the elderly and other medically fragile patients at the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency and several clinics around the county.

On Nov. 18, the remaining flu vaccinations will be made available to the rest of the public, including toddlers, officials said.

Stanislaus County has received 7,740 doses, said Rose Ann Peterson, supervising public health nurse with the agency’s public health department.

The first flu vaccination for children ages 6 months to 8 years requires an initial shot and a later booser shot. In subsequent years, only one shot is required, said David Jones, Health Services Agency public information officer.

To find out when and where flu vaccinations will be administered locally, call 558-8872 or check www.hsahealth.org. To schedule an appointment at the Health Services Agency, call 558-8866. Walk-ins are accepted at the agency, at 820 Scenic Drive. People also can contact their personal physicians about flu vaccinations.

Bee Staff writer Amy White contributed to this report.

Reprinted by permission of The Modesto Bee.