If you or your children have not received the flu vaccination, there is still time! There have been only isolated cases of the flu in the Chicago area and the peak incidence of flu in recent years has been in February. We still have plenty of flu vaccine at all 3 offices. The flu vaccine is encouraged for all children 6 months-18 years. There are no priority flu vaccine groups this year. It is recommended for infants, children, and teens! The flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during this flu season. This year's influenza vaccine contains three new influenza virus strains. The 2008-09 influenza vaccine can protect your child from getting sick from these three viruses, or it can make your child's illness milder if they get a related but different strain of flu virus.

* Injectable flu vaccine will be offered to children 6 months-2 years.

* FluMist will be offered to children 2 years and older unless:

- your child has experienced wheezing or required the use of a nebulizer or inhaler in the last year

- your child has been labeled asthmatic

- your child is in contact with someone who is severely immunocompromised (i.e. bone marrow transplant recipient)

* Mild side effects of the vaccine may include runny nose, headache, vomiting, muscle aches and fever. You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine.

* Injectable Flu vaccine and FluMist nasal vaccine can be given to people with minor illnesses or mild upper respiratory tract infection without fever. FluMist nasal vaccine should not be administered if there is significant nasal congestion. However, if there is considerable nasal congestion- delaying administration of FluMist may be necessary.

* Flu Vaccine (both injectable and nasal spray) may not be given to patients who have egg allergies.

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