Why you need a flu shot -- again

It was only a year ago when Americans were scurrying to find flu shots to protect against the H1N1 pandemic flu, or swine flu. A record number of Americans were vaccinated in the last part of 2009 and first few months of this year. And since H1N1 is thought to be a predominant flu threat again this year, people might naturally wonder: Do I need a flu shot this season?

The answer is yes. The vaccine you received last year protects against flu for about six to eight months. The immunity from your last shot last winter has already worn off, according to an official from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moreover, even if you don’t think you’ll get very sick from catching the flu, getting the vaccine helps confer “herd immunity.” That means that the more people who are vaccinated, the less the flu will circulate and the lower the odds that people who can get very ill -- such as babies or the elderly -- will catch it.

Finally, remember that each season’s flu vaccine targets several strains of flu. This year’s strains are: 2009 H1N1 virus, an H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus. No one can say with certainly which of those strains may be more prevalent this season, according to the CDC.

• There are some changes to this season’s flu vaccine recommendations. The CDC voted earlier this year to recommend “universal vaccination.” That means everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated, unless your doctor recommends against for a specific reason.

• Also, the CDC now recommends that children age 6 months through 8 years old receive two doses of flu vaccine at least four weeks apart if they are getting a flu vaccine for the first time. Children who got only one dose in their first year of vaccination should get two doses the following year.

• For people age 65 and older, a new flu vaccine is now available that is targeted to this age group. The Fluzone High-Dose vaccine contains four times the amount of antigen (the part of the vaccine that prompts the body to make antibody) contained in regular flu shots in order to provoke a stronger immune response. Older people are at greater risk of severe illness from flu, and their bodies also have less ability to have a good immune response after getting influenza vaccine.

• As of this week, no states reported widespread or regional influenza activity, according to the CDC. Flu vaccine supplies remain good.

• For more information on the upcoming flu season, flu vaccines, safety issues and treatment of flu, see the CDC website on flu.

• In flu-related news Thursdays, researchers at the Infectious Diseases Society of America meeting in Vancouver reported that young children hospitalized with flu complications were more likely to live with a smoker compared to children who were not hospitalized from flu. Another study found no serious complications from H1N1 flu vaccination among pregnant women. Other research presented at the meeting found that pregnant women who refuse flu vaccination are most likely to do so because of safety concerns.

-- Shari Roan / Los Angeles Times

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