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Seasonal Influenza
Information on the Flu Vaccine
Information source: United States Department of Health and Human Services
- Influenza (the flu) is serious and can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death.
- Flu symptoms can include fever, headache, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, muscle soreness and nasal congestion.
- Most experts think that flu viruses are spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Less often, a person might also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose.
- Everyone six months of age and older is recommended to get the 2010-11 seasonal flu vaccine even if they got the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine and/or the seasonal flu vaccine last season.
- While the flu can make anyone sick, certain people are at greater risk for serious complications from the flu, such as young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart or lung disease.
- Protect your family from the flu by getting yourself vaccinated. A flu vaccine reduces your risk of illness, hospitalization, or even death and can prevent you spreading the virus to your loved ones
- Over the last 50 years, flu vaccines have been shown to be safe. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine is licensed by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States.
- Anyone can get a flu vaccine at public vaccination clinics (sponsored by the federal government) regardless of their nationality or immigration status. You will not be asked to present any documents or additional information.
- Please visit www.flu.gov (in Spanish) to see where to get the influenza vaccine in your community. For more information on the vaccine visit www.cdc.gov/flu/espanol or call: 1-800-232-4636 (number 2 for Spanish). This phone call is free and confidential.
- If you have any questions on the flu, call the toll-free number of the Department of Health in your community that will be provided to you by the Ventanilla de Salud at the Consulate.
- If you are sick with the flu and dont have health insurance, you can be treated at federally-funded health centers. You can find a health center near you at: http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
