There is no cure for influenza and the inactivated influenza vaccine given as a single dose is usually quite effective. This vaccine is made up of formulation of the specific virus strains seen over the past several yeas.

High Risk Groups

• Persons over 49 years of age
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
• Adults and children with chronic disorders of their lungs or heart
• Adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases, kidney dysfunction, blood problems, or immunosupression
• Children and teenagers who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and therefore might be at risk of developing Reye syndrome
• Women in their 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy during the flu season

(Groups that can transmit influenza to persons at high-risk also qualify for first round vaccination including emergency response workers.)

Low-Risk Vaccinations
When assurance of vaccination of these high risk groups are accomplished, the influenza vaccine is offered to the general public. Alaska Occupational Health can bring the flu vaccine to your worksite to help your workers to stay healthy during the flu-season and avoid absenteeism.

Who Should NOT Get a Flu Shot
The influenza vaccine should not be administered to persons known to have anaphylactic hypersensitivity to eggs or to other vaccine components without first consulting a physician. Generally persons with more than a mild infection with a fever should not be vaccinated until their condition has improved.