It's heeeeeeere. The flu season has officially begun in California. Cases have already been identified (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm) and one can be certain that more are coming. The recommendations have been expanded this year. The changes for this year are:

Annual vaccination of all children aged 5--18 years is recommended. Annual vaccination of all children aged 5--18 years should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available for the 2008--09 influenza season, if feasible, but annual vaccination of all children aged 5--18 years should begin no later than during the 2009--10 influenza season.

Annual vaccination of all children aged 6 months--4 years (59 months) and older children with conditions that place them at increased risk for complications from influenza should continue. Children and adolescents at high risk for influenza complications should continue to be a focus of vaccination efforts as providers and programs transition to routinely vaccinating all children.

Either TIV or LAIV (live virus) can be used when vaccinating healthy persons aged 2--49 years. Children aged 6 months--8 years should receive 2 doses of vaccine if they have not been vaccinated previously at any time with either LAIV or TIV (doses separated by 4 or more weeks); 2 doses are required for protection in these children. Children aged 6 months--8 years who received only 1 dose in their first year of vaccination should receive 2 doses the following year. LAIV should not be administered to children aged <5 years with possible reactive airways disease, such as those who have had recurrent wheezing or a recent wheezing episode. Children with possible reactive airways disease, persons at higher risk for influenza complications because of underlying medical conditions, children aged 6--23 months, and persons aged >49 years should receive TIV.

Essentially anyone can get the flu vaccine if they aren't allergic to eggs and have not had a reaction to the flu vaccine in the past.

Palisades Integrative Medical Clinic (www.integrativeclinics.org) has plenty of vaccine available this year and is giving shots everyday in October and November.

Call 213-952-9723 for more information.