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The seasonal flu vaccines are now available
The southern hemisphere flu vaccines for 2012 contain the following flu strains:
– an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
– an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus;
– a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
Worldwide, annual influenza epidemics result in about three to five million cases of severe illness, and about 250 000 to 500 000 deaths.
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for all patients from 6 months of age.
It is especially important that the following groups be vaccinated:
1. Pregnant women
2. Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
3. People 65 years of age and older
4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
5. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
