Get yer influenza inoculation on.

A recent Associated Press post "More Flu Vaccine Aimed at Key Flu Spreaders: Kids" discusses reasons for a new plan of attack against the vicious, icky flu. The article explains "Flu-shot season begins this month, and for the first time vaccination is being pushed for virtually all children — not just those under 5. It's a huge change, and one bolstered by provocative new evidence that children are key flu spreaders. Over four winters, Harvard researchers matched hacking adults' visits to Boston-area emergency rooms with Census data for 55 zip codes. Flu-like symptoms struck first and worst in the zip codes that were home to the most kids."

These changes are happening due to an extensive review of influenza control and prevention completed by a special advisory group of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Each year, influenza causes 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The elderly, young children and people with chronic illnesses are at greatest risk for severe illness, but the CDC recommends that a wide variety of people get vaccinated." The wew flu vaccination guidelines includes most importantly "All children between ages 6 months and 18 years, unless they have a serious egg allergy. Until now, flu vaccine was recommended for children under 5 or those with chronic illnesses such as asthma. The expanded recommendation takes into account that healthy school-age children have higher rates of flu than other age groups." Roll up your family's sleeves and get some of that inoculated goodness.

Link: New flu guidelines