Important Information on Flu Screenings
Published on Thursday, October 3, 2019
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year thousands of people in the United States die from the flu, and many more are hospitalized. Below are some important notes regarding Flu Screenings at UMMC:
- Universal screening of inpatients began on October 1, 2019, and vaccines were administered per approved UMMC protocol. Once the universal protocol is initiated by the provider, the patient will be screened by the nurse. If eligible, the nurse will place the order "per protocol" for the vaccination.
- Flu Vaccine Dosing:
- 6-35 months: Fluzone 0.25 mL*
- 3 years and older: Fluzone 0.5 mL*
- *Children younger than 9 years old may receive a second dose if:
- It is the patient's first season of vaccination
- Patient received less than (or equal to) 1 dose of trivalent or quadrivalent influenza vaccine prior to July 1 preceding the current flu season start
- If vaccination status cannot be determined
- UMMC, in accordance to CDC, recommends that all patients at high risk for developing flu-related complications be vaccinated at the earliest possible time. High-risk groups include:
- Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old (Source)
- Adults 65 years of age or older (Source)
- Pregnant women (and women up to two weeks postpartum) (Source)
- Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities (Source)
- American Indians and Alaskan Natives
People with medical conditions such as: - Asthma (Source)
- Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions (including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury.
- Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
- Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease) (Source)
- Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
- Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus) (Source)
- Kidney disorders
- Liver disorders
- Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
- Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as those with HIV or AIDS, cancer, or those on chronic steroids)
- People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
- People with extreme obesity (body mass index of 40 or more)
Please refer to www.CDC.gov for further information on the 2019-2020 Influenza Season.