Get your flu shot

photo by Lance McCord

It's that time of the year again - summer is over, kids are back to school, and start to think about your annual flu shot!

For the first time health authorities are urging nearly everyone to get vaccinated. There is even a new high-dose version for people 65 or older.

Why is there a new high-dose version for seniors? Well, because your immune system weakens with age, so it doesn't respond as actively to a flu shot. Sanofi Pasteur's Fluzone High-Dose quadruples the standard dose for people 65 and older. This winter, scientists will track if that translates into less illness. Until that proof's in, the CDC says it's OK to choose either option. full story

Try this locator website to find your local stores that provide flu shot.

迎接流感季節，準備注射預防針

一年一度的流感季節很快就到，公共衛生單位已經準備就緒為民眾施打預防針。雖然世衛已經宣怖H1N1已成過去式，但是流感的菌株不同，所以像老人、兒童、患有慢性疾病、以及照顧上述這些人士者的「高風險群」，都要記得去打預防針。今年當局還為65歲以上者推出「強力針」，因為他們的抵抗力較弱，希望藉此達到更好的防護作用。

洛縣衛生局尚未列出今年施打預防針的時間表，而多個非營利組織的免費注射預防針活動也尚未出爐，有更新消息再和大家分享。但是今天開車經過一家CVS藥房時，已經看到門外張貼著打預防針的廣告牌，相信疫苗很快就運到了。希望大家平安健康快樂！