Fight The Flu! Vaccinate Your Children and Yourself!

Posted: 9.18.2017

More than 100 American children died of the flu during the 2016-17 flu season, and thousands more were hospitalized for severe illness or complications from the influenza virus. Historically, more than 80 percent of children who die from influenza infection are not vaccinated against it, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Now is the time to think about getting flu shots for yourself and your children. The flu vaccine is the best protection against the flu and is recommended for everyone six months old and older, with rare exceptions, according to the AAP and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those exceptions might include people who are allergic to eggs or other ingredients in the flu vaccine, individuals who are currently experiencing illness, or anyone who has had Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Talk to your own doctor for the best recommendation for you and your family members.

In a new policy statement, “Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2017-2018,” the AAP makes the following recommendations.

• Children should receive influenza vaccinations by the end of October, if possible. Children who need two doses (those 6 months through 8 years, who have not previously been fully vaccinated) should receive the first vaccine early in the season for optimal protection.
• Children should receive the flu shot, not the intranasal influenza vaccine, which performed poorly against influenza-A viruses in recent influenza seasons.
• Identify children at increased risk of complications from the flu because of a chronic condition such as asthma or other chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. Talk to your own child’s doctor.

If you and your dependents have HealthTrust medical coverage, flu shots are covered under your plan, and you have several options for getting the flu vaccine. 

• Attend a HealthTrust Flu Vaccine Clinic (for individuals age 18 and older who have HealthTrust medical coverage). Check with the benefits administrator at your workplace to see if a clinic is available in your area.
• Receive your flu vaccine from your own primary care provider.
• Visit a ConvenientMD walk-in center. No appointment needed! Just walk in. Click the ConvenientMD box on our home page to find a location near you.  
• Visit a CVS retail pharmacy.  

For more information about coverage for the flu vaccine or any questions about your HealthTrust coverage, contact HealthTrust Enrollee Services: 800.527.5001 or enrolleeservices@healthtrustnh.org.