Influenza Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommend flu vaccination for all Americans over the age of 6 months.

Each year's seasonal flu vaccine contains protection from the three influenza viruses that are expected to be the most common during that year's flu season. The H1N1 influenza virus responsible for the 2009 pandemic will be included in the seasonal flu vaccine for 2010 to 2011. The vaccine will be available as an injection or as a nasal spray.

Controlling the Spread of Influenza
The influenza vaccine isn't 100-percent effective, so it's also important to take measures to reduce the spread of infection:Wash your hands--Thorough and frequent hand washing is the best way to prevent many common infections. Scrub your hands vigorously for at least 15 seconds. Or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.Contain your coughs and sneezes--Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. To avoid contaminating your hands, cough or sneeze into a tissue or into the inner crook of your elbow.Avoid crowds--Flu spreads easily wherever people congregate — in child care centers, schools, office buildings, auditoriums and public transportation. By avoiding crowds during peak flu season, you reduce your chances of infection.