CDC Makes New Recommendations as Flu Season Arrives

Fall has arrived and so has flu season.

This year, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made new recommendations.

For the first time, the CDC says FluMist nasal spray is the preferred vaccine for healthy kids ages 2 to 8.

But, if its not available, don’t wait to get your child vaccinated.

“The composition of the vaccine is established the year before the flu season, but if the match is good the vaccine is going to work if it’s the mist or the vaccine,” said Doctor Alan Sugar of Sansum Clinic.

People 65 and over are also urged to get a new kind of pneumonia vaccine along with their flu shot.

Another concern is too many young and middle aged adults are skipping the vaccine altogether.

“It’s very important because that’s the age group that’s around smaller children more often. The best incubator for these infections is the schools where kids are in tight quarters and they bring viruses home. If the parents are not immunized, its very easy for them to get sick,” said Dr. Sugar.

So far, at least 5 people have been hospitalized with influenza in Santa Barbara.