Medical Associates (Sample)

Family Health Bulletin

Nov 13, 2008

November is American Diabetes Month

Learn more.

Flu season is upon us. Time to seek protection.

Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.

 

Who should get vaccinated

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended by ACIP that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, ACIP makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination.

People who should get vaccinated each year are:

• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including health care workers, household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu, and household contacts and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

For more information, visit the CDC website.

AAP recommends more vitamin D for children

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends doubling vitamin D intake in children to prevent rickets and other bone-related disorders.

The AAP’s new recommendations include:

• Breastfed and partially breastfed infants should be supplemented with 400 IU a day of vitamin D beginning in the first few days of life.
• All non-breastfed infants, as well as older children, who are consuming less than one quart per day of vitamin D-fortified formula or milk, should receive a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU a day.
• Adolescents who do not obtain 400 IU of vitamin D per day through foods should receive a supplement containing that amount.
• Children with increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, such as those taking certain medications, may need higher doses of vitamin D.

To learn more, read the AAP’s press release.

The latest recommendations on children’s cold and cough medications

Health policy experts and others are urging the FDA to ban the sale of children’s cough and cold medicines until they can be reevaluated for safety and effectiveness. Manufacturers have responded with a plan to voluntarily warning label over-the-counter cold and cough medicines. Read more.

Still no link established between MMR vaccine and autism

British researchers are the latest to disprove a link between the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism spectrum disorders. However, the fear of such a link persists among many parents, whose refusal to vaccinate their children may be leading to new measles outbreaks. Read this vaccine FAQ to learn more.