Influenza Alerts!

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Mandatory Flu Shots For New Jersey Preschoolers”
December 10, 2007 Medical News Today- The Public Health Council, New Jersey, voted 5-2 today in favor of making flu shots compulsory for preschoolers. The Public Health Council is an advisory board, and final approval needs to come from the state's Health Commissioner. The Council's recommendations are usually implemented.

(source:  www.medicalnewstoday.com)

Click the link to see the latest flu activity map! http://www.flustar.com/usmap.asp

Each year in the U.S., more than 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 die from influenza and related complications.

This year, as in other years, the first cases occurred in early October, and the number of reported cases has been increasing weekly. All but 13 states have identified cases of influenza. As of December 1, 2007, there have been about 560 cases of influenza reported in the U.S. With increased travel during the holidays, it is expected that influenza will soon be diagnosed in all 50 states. The number of cases of flu usually peaks in January or February, and the season usually lasts through April.

If you have not gotten an annual flu vaccine, there is still time. It takes about two weeks to develop antibodies once you have received the vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending that healthcare providers extend the typical influenza immunization period beyond the holidays in order to allow more people to be protected against flu.

DID YOU KNOW?...MERCURY IN INFLUENZA VACCINE

Numerous studies have shown that developmental delays and autism are not the result of mercury in vaccines; however, many parents are concerned when they hear that the influenza vaccine still contains mercury. While there are mercury-free formulations available, they are often in limited supply and cost more than the standard version. Most physicians recommend the standard version, despite the small quantity of mercury, since the studies have shown them to be safe.

In fact, because of the scientific data, higher cost and relatively low demand, many physicians do not even offer the mercury-free version.

The type of mercury in the influenza vaccine is known as ethyl mercury; this type of mercury breaks down and is therefore excreted from the body more quickly than the type found in fish. In addition, because ethyl mercury is larger than the type found in fish, it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. Studies used to set the limits of exposure for humans were based on the type of mercury found in fish.

Because mercury is present in the environment, we all have some mercury in our bodies. When women breastfeed, it is estimated that the child receives about 0.4 micrograms of mercury in every 32-34 ounces of breast milk. Similarly, most infant formulas contain about 0.2 micrograms of mercury in every 32-34 ounces. Since there are 12.5 micrograms of ethyl mercury in one dose of the influenza vaccine, a child requiring two doses (because he or she is receiving the vaccine for the first time) will get at most 25 micrograms. Therefore, a breastfed infant will receive at least fifteen times more mercury during the first six months of life than is received in the flu vaccine.

There are two important points here: First, the mercury in the vaccine is the type that breaks down more rapidly; therefore, it accumulates less in the body. Second, even though breastfeeding exposes infants to more mercury and to the type of mercury that breaks down more slowly, breastfeeding has been shown to keep babies healthy by providing important protection against infection.

In other influenza news...

 -- The nasal spray flu vaccine can now be given to children as young as 2 years old if they do not have any wheezing illnesses. Previously, the vaccine could only be given to children 5 years or older. Healthy adults up to 50 years old can also receive this version of the vaccine. However, pregnant women are recommended to receive the shot instead of the nasal version because the nasal version contains weakened, live influenza virus.

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ASK THE VEC - INFLUENZA VACCINE AND OTHER VACCINES

Q.  My 11-month old daughter received her first influenza vaccine and is now scheduled to get her second dose of the vaccine along with her other vaccines at her 12 month visit. Is this safe?

Influenza Alerts!
A Passport Health of Tampa Bay "Health & Travel Tips" Newsletter Article, January 2008

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