National Influenza Vaccine Week – Yo Me Vacuno Contra la Influenza
3 Dec
The first week of December is National Influenza Vaccine Week, December 2-8, 2012. Did you know a new batch of flu vaccine is made each year? Last season’s flu vaccine won’t work so it is important to get vaccinated with this season’s vaccine. Each vaccine is made as needed to protect against the three flu viruses that research indicates will be the most common.
As a mom and a wife, these are points that I take seriously when it comes to protecting my family.
“Mommy and Daddy’s job is to keep their kids safe and protect them.” – words of my 5 year old.
Influenza vaccines are not just for children though. The flu can make anyone sick. Yes, even our hombres who insist they ‘never get sick’. However, there are some people who are at greater risk. These are a few. (Complete list is here.)
- Adults 50 years of age and older
- Children younger than five years of age, but especially younger than two
- People with chronic lung disease (such as asthma and COPD), diabetes (types 1 and 2), heart disease, neurologic conditions, and certain other chronic conditions
- Those who are morbidly obese (body-mass index of 40 or greater)
- Pregnant women and women within the first two weeks after delivery
If any of the persons mentioned above are in your household, it is important to get them vaccinated as well as those close to them.
Gente, in my family diabetes is not our favorite D word. Mexican Americans are almost twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with diabetes.** When a person with diabetes gets sick with the flu, it may be difficult to maintain their regular diet or medication regimen.
Unfortunately, more than 200,000 people may be hospitalized during a flu season. Work to prevent your loved ones becoming one of them.
More information is available on the Center for Disease Control’s website. Para obtener más información sobre vacunación contra la influenza en español por favor visite el sitio web Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermades.
To help you out, please enter you zip code in the widget below to find a vaccine location near you.
*All facts and figures are from Center for Disease Control and Prevention, unless otherwise noted.
**U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Melanie Mendez-Gonzales
Original content creator for Que Means What. Latina mom blogger in Texas sharing experiences about parenting, about her cultural 'identity crisis' as a Texicana: Mexican decent born in Texas, never lived in Mexico. Melanie also supports small business owners through social media management.
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Gotta love kids! So sweet that your little one knows that parents’ job is to protect kids. Wise little one, it is our job and we have to make sure we protect our children from the flu by making sure they get vaccinated.
Thanks Paula! I was so happy to hear him say that. He is smart that little one
Thanks for reading.
I make sure that myself and my family get the flu vaccine every year! So important – especially since the CDC is saying this is already such a bad flu season.
Yep, flu season is yucky. Glad to know you guys are up to date. Thanks for reading!
My husband, kids, and I all got the flu vaccine back in September. Last week my husband and I also got the flu.
But, we might have been much sicker if we hadn’t gotten the shot to up our immunity. We get the vaccine every year and will continue to do so!
Sorry you guys got sick. That’s no fun. Happy to know you guys go every year though. Thanks for reading Colleen!
Thanks for all the facts! My minis get their shots every year!
yay! Thanks for reading Christina!
my munchkin was overdue too for his wellness check up so we got that done last week and they added in an extra shot for the Flu! So were good now but I didnt know that they change the flu vaccine according to research data of the 3 most common strains. I learn something new everyday!
I didn’t know it changed either Alvina. I’m glad I got to research this. Thanks for reading!
My oldest was hospitalized with dehydration from the flu when he was just one year old. It was terrifying. Since that happened we all get the flu shot every year. I’m not taking any chances!
Kids in the hospital is no fun
Good to hear you guys get the shot each year! Thanks Morena!
Thanks for the reminder, my little guys are off to their doctor tomorrow.
We got rescheduled for tomorrow too. Thanks for reading Michelle!
My husbands company gives him a voucher for a free flu shot. The boys and I still need to get ours. Thank You for the reminder!!
That’s great Kimberly! Thanks for reading.
I try to get the flu Vax often, my kids… sometimes
Thanks for commenting Kristina!
The kids and I went to our doctor’s office to get flu shots this year. They were sad for a moment because the shots hurt, but they got over it fast, and I felt good about protecting them.
That’s how I felt. I hate to see them cry but thankfully it doesn’t last long.
Thanks for reading Inga!
I didn’t know that diabetics shouldn’t use the nasal spray of the vaccine. Thanks for the info Melanie!
Me neither Alicia. There is so much info on the website. I thought that was an important piece to include. thanks for reading!