By Rosa Hernandez

Every year in the United States around 42,000 adults and 300 children die from vaccine-preventable infections including influenza, pneumococcal disease and hepatitis B. Most American adults are inadequately vaccinated, and as many as 25 percent of children do not complete their primary series of immunizations by the age of two. As a result of this, the United States Department of Health and Human Services included in Healthy People 2020, a set of goals aimed at achieving progress in major areas of public health, the following goal: “Increase immunization rates and reduce vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Each year, the government, hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies across the country attempt to make it very convenient to become immunized against a variety of infectious diseases. October marks the beginning of flu season, the administration of the latest strain of influenza virus vaccine, which has become a major focus in public health, and American Pharmacists Month. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone at least 6 months of age. There are currently three types of inactivated flu shots available. There is a regular flu shot approved for ages 6 months and older, a high dose flu shot approved for ages 65 and older, and an intradermal flu shot approved for ages 18 – 65. There is also a live, weakened form of the vaccine available as an intranasal spray and approved for ages 2 – 49, if not pregnant.