To Your Health
How To Deal With the Flu Vaccine Shortage

by Paulette Avery, RN, MSN

For the second straight year there isn't enough flu vaccine to go around. So what should you do? If you fall into one of the high-risk groups, call your health care provider for advice on whether you can get a flu shot this year and where to get it. High-risk groups include children ages 6 months to 23 months, pregnant women (the vaccine is safe throughout pregnancy), health-care workers, adults over 65, children and adults with chronic diseases (such as cancer, asthma, heart disease), children from 6 months to 18 years of age on chronic aspirin therapy, and household contacts and out-of-home caregivers to children 6 months and under. The government's recommendation is for most healthy adults to skip the flu shot this year. For healthy children and adults from age 5 to 49, FluMist vaccine is an option. This is a live virus vaccine given into the nose.

Whether you get the flu vaccine this year or not, there are many things we can all do to increase the likelihood that we will remain healthy this winter. Probably the most helpful thing you can do to prevent illness is to wash your hands frequently. The choice to use an antibacterial soap or not is a matter of opinion. Personally, I believe it is better to use a cleanser without antibacterial components. Antibacterials kill not only potentially harmful bacteria, but also the protective bacteria, the normal flora on our skin. Killing off these beneficial bacteria can compromise health. Additionally, most contagious illness is viral, not bacterial, and will not be prevented through the use of antibacterial preparations. You may also want to carry alcohol towelettes with you for use when you can't get to soap and water.

Avoid touching your face, especially your nose, mouth, and eyes, after contact with potentially germ-laden surfaces or with someone who is ill with a cold or the flu. You can also wipe down surfaces in your home or office that may have been contaminated with flu or cold germs.

When possible, avoid people who are ill with a cold or the flu. Along with this advice, consider staying home from work or school when you are ill. Besides making it easier for you to recover, you are less likely to pass the cold or flu to others. I am well aware that many people believe they must go to work even when they are ill, and too often the attitude of employers supports this belief. I hope that more employers will become aware that it is better to allow employees to stay home rather than expose their co-workers and clients to illness.

Boost your immunity. Dr. Andrew Weil recommends eating two cloves of raw garlic at the first sign of illness and repeating this daily while you are ill. Try adding the chopped garlic to sandwiches or soup. Dr. Weil also suggests taking elderberry extract, astragalus (a Chinese herb that is an antiviral and immunity enhancer), and echinacea.

Eat well, get plenty of sleep, and decrease stress. All of these things may seem obvious, but doing them will help you fight off illness when it comes your way. See last month's column on super foods, and include lots of them in your diet.

May you all be well!

Paulette Avery is a registered nurse and a freelance writer who specializes in health issues.