Simple Steps to Prevent the Flu

By Lawrence Manetti, St. Joseph School Principal

Several weeks ago I wrote about the importance of teaching good health habits to children, as a way to prevent the spread of germs.

Today I want to encourage all St. Joseph School parents to consider getting a flu shot---both for yourselves and your children. My encouragement is based upon and echoes the most current, published advice of local, state and federal public health authorities.

All parents are familiar with the many vaccinations children receive in their earliest years. These life-saving vaccinations protect children from a number of potentially dangerous and even deadly diseases, like measles, mumps, polio, whooping cough, diphtheria, hepatitis and more.

But many of us think of flu shots as something just for senior citizens. Over the years, most of us have seen television news reports of elderly men and women getting flu shots.

A couple of years ago, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded its flu-shot recommendations to include all people over age six months. For full details, visit the CDC’s website:

http://cdc.gov/Features/FLU/

The best place to get a flu shot is from your own family doctor, and please consult your doctor before getting vaccinated. But keep in mind that flu shots are more widely available today than ever, including at many pharmacies and local public health departments. Flu vaccinations are even available in a nasal spray form, for those of us who don’t like needles.

Remember, by getting a flu shot, you are protecting yourself from influenza, which is a potentially dangerous and even deadly lung disease. Additionally, once vaccinated, your immunity to the flu will indirectly help protect your child’s classmates from spread of flu viruses---just as their immunity (if they have been vaccinated) helps protect you and your child.

So this fall, let’s all take simple steps to protect ourselves and each other.

Have a great week...