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Influenza, or the flu, is an easily preventable illness with a vaccine in addition to practicing proper hand washing and covering your cough.

Seasonal influenza refers to many different strains of an influenza virus. Last year, we saw a new and different flu virus, called H1N1 (or swine flu), that created the first global outbreak of disease caused by a new flu virus in more than 40 years. Although the H1N1 pandemic is over, it is likely that the HIN1 virus will continue to circulate. That's why this year's flu shot will offer triple protection from H1N1 and two other strains of flu, so there is no need for a separate vaccine for H1N1 as there was last year.

• Children between the ages of 6 months and 9 years will need two doses of this year's influenza vaccine 3-4 weeks apart, only if they have never received a flu shot before.
  
• Children who only got one dose the first time they were vaccinated should get two doses the following year.
  
• All children 9 years of age and older only need one dose.

For more information, please call The Children's Hospital Flu Hotline: 720-777-4FLU (4358)
 

Prevention:

The best thing we can do is take the preventative steps within our control to protect our family and ourselves:

1. Get the seasonal flu vaccine - Find a flu clinic near you
   

   This flu season, the CDC recommends that every adult and child 6 months of age and older get the 3-in-1 flu shot. Be sure to consult with your child's health care provider about the flu vaccine. Also learn who is a top priority for the vaccine this season, how the vaccine works, side effects and other considerations.

   Use the Colorado Adult Immunization Coalition (CAIC) Flu Clinic Finder to locate the flu vaccine clinic nearest you. If you have any questions about the flu and your family, talk to your doctor or call your local health department for information.

2. If you feel sick, STAY HOME! This goes for children and yourself. Take time to care for your body when it's sick and prevent spreading illness to others
   
   
3. Wash your hands and cover your cough - prevent spreading germs and getting infected by other's germs
   
   
4. Read what the CDC recommends for parents and caregivers caring for someone with the flu

Three Steps to Prevent the Flu - Brought to you by The Children's Hospital

Get the Facts on Flu:

• CDC Influenza Page
• Commonly Asked Questions
  
• Have You Gotten the Flu Vaccine? The CDC and John Hopkins University wants to know how you are feeling
• The Children's Hospital Flu Page: Protect your Family Against the Flu
• Pandemic Flu Q & A from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Is it a Cold or the Flu? Learn the symptoms from the experts at The Children's Hospital
• The Flu Surveillence page shows where flu is occurring in Colorado.
  
  

Just for Fun:

• Send Flu Prevention Health-e-Cards from the CDC
• Sneeze Game - see how far a simple sneeze can go to infect a population
• Sesame Street's Elmo and Gordon teach "Healthy Habits for Flu Prevention"
• Funny, yet useful, video on cough/sneeze technique
  
• iPhone app from Medscape
  
  

Providers:

If you are a provider and would like to administer seasonal influenza vaccine, please contact your local public health agency.

• Order the free 2010-2011 Flu Toolkit
• Order the free 2010-2011 Flu Vaccination Marketing Materials from the Colorado Immunization Program and CAIC
   

Vaccine Information Statements:

2010-2011 Inactive Influenza Vaccine

2010-2011 Live Intranasal Influenza Vaccine