Transmission of influenza occurs every year during the fall and winter, and may continue into the spring.
Who should get a flu shot? In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated However, vaccination in the fall is highly recommended for certain groups. These include people at risk of developing severe complications from influenza as well as those who are likely to transmit influenza to persons at high risk. See the CDC Flu Vaccine page for information on groups at high risk for complications, and on who should not receive flu vaccine.
Where can I get a flu shot? New Mexicans wishing to get a flu shot should first contact their regular health care provider. If they do not have access to a health care provider, or if their provider does not have flu vaccine, they may contact their local Public Health Office for information on where they can get a flu shot. Influenza Vaccination Clinics may be located at the New Mexico Influenza Vaccine Consortium website. Some clinics may require cash, check, or Medicare Part B forms for payment.
DOH and CDC links for more information: The New Mexico Department of Health Influenza Information Page includes links to the New Mexico Weekly Flu Reports. Flu vaccination protocols for public health offices can be found in the DOH Public Health Division 2008-09 Influenza Vaccination Protocols.
For updated CDC recommendations and announcements click on the CDC Flu Site. Other CDC resources include:
VFC providers and children's vaccine: As in previous flu seasons, the NM VFC program will have limited amounts of flu vaccine for children ages 6 months through 18 years of age. This year VFC plans to supply 106,000 doses of injectable Fluzone plus 100,00 doses of intranasal FluMist. Of the 100,000 doses of available FluMist, VFC will reserve 30,000 doses, plus some injectable doses, for pilot school projects in selected areas of the state.
This means you will receive roughly the same amount of injectable VFC flu vaccine you received last year, plus some FluMist if you wish. VFC FluMist is indicated for healthy children ages 2 through 18 years of age, but amounts of FluMist available to VFC providers will be limited. This means we will not know much in advance when, how much, or what types of vaccines VFC will be able to ship you on any given date. Since we will have access to partial shipments of flu vaccine during the time period above, you will like receive partial, multiple shipments.
Expired flu vaccine: VFC providers who possess expired flu vaccine from the 2007-08 flu season should return it to McKesson (vaccine distributor) as per instructions mailed to all VFC providers in January 2008. Expired vaccine does not need to be returned on ice.
Avian (Bird) Flu and Pandemic Flu
Public health officials are monitoring global influenza activity carefully for any signs of increased risk to humans from avian flu, or for signs of a widespread (pandemic) global outbreak of flu.
In March 2006, the New Mexico Department of Health released its Pandemic Influenza Emergency Response plan.
Click here for links to CDC information on avian flu and pandemic flu.
Influenza Vaccination Forms
There is now a licensed live, intranasal influenza vaccine approved for healthy non-pregnant persons 2 - 49 years of age.
