<p>Now that the flu season is about to start (and the news have already announced the sufficient supply of flu vaccine for this year), I wonder where and when is a good time and place for our college kids to start looking for those flu shots? At my D's school's (Princeton's) web-site I just found the announcement about some "FluFest" which is going to give students free shots ... in the beginninhg of November ... for God's sake! :( By that time she might already have contracted enough germs to screw-up her midterms and the trip home for Fall Reccess! I told her already to look for flu vaccine ASAP, but neither she, nor I have any idea, where to turn for it. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Our doctor told me to have S get it just after Halloween. That way the vaccine protection carries him through most of the winter. They don't even get their supply in until the middle of October.</p>
<p>Our pediatrician's office sent a notice stating they will start flu shots on October1, but son's college won't hold flu shot clinics until November. This is the first time I remember the pediatrician's office getting the vaccine so early. But, frankly, early November is fine. It takes about 2 weeks for the vaccine to fully work and that still puts you ahead of main flu season.</p>
<p>Most of the "germs" the kids get in college aren't influenza.</p>
<p>You might be interested in tracking flu outbreaks at the CDC website:
[url=<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm%5DCDC">http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm]CDC</a> - Influenza (Flu) | Weekly Report: U.S. Map, Influenza Summary Update- Week 49, 2007-2008 Season<a href="The%20new%20season%20hasn't%20started%20yet">/url</a>. If the map shows no activity, you don't have to worry.</p>
<p>Our kids got the shots when their schools were giving them. We didn't wait for outbreaks to happen..by then...it's too late.</p>
<p>My kids get theirs at school and they all hold their flu shot clinics from late Oct through early November. Our physician's office here holds theirs at the same time. The CDC indicates the main flu season starts in January.</p>
<p>Does anyone know the advantages/disadvantages of FluMist vs the Flu shot?</p>
<p>Flu seems to peak here in Western WA at the end of January-February. I suppose it is similar to the rest of the country. A shot in early November should do the trick, of course, if the vaccine is against the correct strains.</p>
<p>FluMist vs. Flu shot: My d would say it's obvious - no needle involved :). </p>
<p>Seriously my kids get the FluMist rather than the flu shot whenever it is available. Last year we were not able to find the FluMist readily available as it has to be kept refrigerated. I'll look for it again this year. As to difference - I'm really not sure. I do remember I called the pediatrician before we got the FluMist for the first time (at the local pharmacy) and my pediatrician approved it - or we would not have gotten it. I no longer remember exactly what he (or rather his nurse) said about it.</p>
<p>What I have read is that Flu Mist is weakened virus, whereas the shot is killed virus. Flu Mist may actually offer better protection, but I'm trying to find out if the likelihood of side effects (fever, runny nose, achiness, etc) is higher with Flu Mist than with the shot.</p>
<p>Anecdotal, but none of my three kids has ever had a reaction to FluMist and each one has had FluMist over a course of several years - maybe just lucky. (The flu shot can make the arm hurt.) I do always take the precaution (FluMist or flu shot) of getting it on a Friday in case of a reaction. My kids say that FluMist is a misnomer as it - according to them - is not a mist. Granted, the nose is the point of entry, but they say it's thicker and runs down the back of the throat. Yucky, but preferable to a shot for the needle-phobic youngest and the older two don't care either way.</p>
<p>Actually called the pharmacy today (due to this thread) to see if FluMist would be available this year. It is and the pharmacist said that the CDC released the flu vaccine early this year (Sept), although she doesn't know why. For some reason, most people opt for the shot rather than FluMist.</p>
<p>In one of my immunology classes, we looked at a bunch of cases where flu shots caused the recipient to catch the flu....I've personally never felt the need for the vaccine.</p>
<p>Does anybody know whether the flu vaccine is the same, worldwide?</p>
<p>Flu Mist versus Flu Shot:</p>
<p>Those on medication that suppresses the immune system should not take the mist as it contains a live virus. </p>
<p>Some people feel uncomfortable in their nasal passages for a while after the mist from what I've heard.</p>
<p>To the OP:</p>
<p>Costco has a calendar posted by the pharmacy with the dates of flu shots. Also, in NJ most ShopRite markets have flu clinics. Just have your d call around using the phone book.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>"In one of my immunology classes, we looked at a bunch of cases where flu shots caused the recipient to catch the flu....I've personally never felt the need for the vaccine."</p>
<p>Are you sure that you weren't studying flumist? The shot is a dead virus. Dead viruses cannot replicate, therefore cannot infect anyone. However, the vaccine is only 80-90% effective, so you can get the flu in spite of being vaccinated, but it is not BECAUSE you were vaccinated. Even if you get the flu after being vaccinated, it will usually be a much milder case than if you had not received the vaccine. Flu-mist, however, is live attenuated.</p>
<p>My background is adult ICU. I've asked several infectious diseases specialists about this and they explained that most people who get the flu within 2 weeks of receiving the vaccine got it because they were exposed to the flu from infected persons before the vaccine had a chance to provide immunity, or they were exposed to a strain not covered by the vaccine.</p>
<p>Here is an interesting article about flu myths:</p>