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Monthly Feature

Got Asthma? Get a Flu Shot!
October, 2003

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging people with asthma, both children and adults, to be vaccinated against the flu.
Flu shots can help keep you from getting the flu and other flu-linked problems such as pneumonia, bronchitis and ear infections. You should get vaccinated every year, because the virus is constantly changing and new vaccines are developed annually to protect against new strains.

A recent study found that vaccinating every child with asthma could reduce hospital stays by nearly 60 percent, according to the American Lung Association (ALA). Still, only 10 percent of children and 39 percent of adults with asthma get vaccinated each year. There is also concern that Hispanics and African-Americans are less likely to report having been vaccinated, although they need the prevention as much as anyone else.

People who suffer from asthma or other respiratory conditions may have concerns about getting vaccinated and about choosing the right flu vaccine for them. There is one big warning: asthmatics should not get the new nasal spray to prevent flu. It is only for healthy people ages 5-49. The flu vaccine shot is considered the best protection against the flu and its complications. It's best to get your flu vaccine in October or November, but getting vaccinated in December or later can still protect you. Talk to your doctor about getting a flu shot as soon as they are available.

For those looking for a convenient place to get the shots, the ALA has set up a "find" feature on its Web site -- www.lungusa.org -- where people can locate where they can get vaccinated by typing in their ZIP code or area code and get more information about flu shots. For those without computers, call 1-800-586-4872 for information.