January 19th, 2009, will be a make-up day for December 15th's snow day.  Please adjust your schedules accordingly.

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The best way to protect yourself against getting the flu is to get vaccinated.  Flu vaccines are currently available and will continue to be administered through January, or until supplies run out.  The timing of influenza (flu) outbreaks vary, and can occur as early as in October, but most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. 

Physician offices and local health departments offer the flu vaccine.  Sometimes there are community flu clinics set up on certain days at local stores and pharmacies for those in the community to come and get vaccinated if they wish to. 

You cannot get the flu from the flu shot.  The viruses in the flu shot are killed, so you cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine.  Some minor side effects that can occur are soreness, redness, or swelling at the site where the shot was given, low grade fever, and general aches.   These symptoms usually last 1 to 2 days.  Antibodies that protect against the influenza virus develop in the body about 2 weeks after the flu shot is given.

Anyone who wants to reduce his/her chance of getting the flu can get vaccinated, but there are certain recommendations regarding who should get vaccinated every year. People who are at high risk for having serious complications from the flu, or people who live with or care for those at high risk should get the vaccine. 

Those who should get vaccinated are:

Children 6 months to 19 years

Pregnant women

People 50 years old and older

People of any age that have chronic medical conditions

People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from the flu:

     *  healthcare workers

     *  household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu

     *  household contacts and outside of the home caregivers of children less than 6 months old. (these children are too young to get a flu shot)

If you have any questions about if you should or should not get vaccinated, speak with your physician.

Those who SHOULD NOT be vaccinated are:

     People who have a severe allergy to chikcen eggs

     People who have had a severe allergy to a flu shot

     Children under 6 months old

     People who have a moderate to severe illness with a fever. (they should wait until

they recover to get vaccinated)

The above information is taken from the "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine."