Flu Vaccine is Best Defense Against the Spread of Influenza

Sneezing into your elbow, frequent hand washing, staying home from work or school if you feel ill – all are good safeguards when it comes to preventing the spread of flu. But health experts agree that the benefits of influenza vaccines such as Fluvirin®, Fluzone® and Afluria® offer the best protection from seasonal flu. Learning more about these valuable flu vaccines can assist healthcare professionals in educating patients about the importance of immunization and promote more successful flu clinics.

Fluzone is an influenza vaccine manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. Fluzone derives its benefits from three inactivated (killed) influenza viruses: type A (H1N1), type A (H3N2) and type B. This split virus vaccine is available in both pediatric and adult formulations, either with no thimerosal as a preservative (prefilled syringe) or with thimerosal as a preservative (multi-dose vial).

Fluvirin is manufactured by Novartis Vaccines. Like Fluzone, this vaccine has many benefits: Fluvirin is an inactivated (killed) influenza virus vaccine indicated for immunization of persons 4 years of age and older against influenza subtypes A and type B.

Afluria is manufactured by Merck/CSL™ and offers flu protection benefits to adults ages 18 and over. Afluria utilizes the inactivated (killed) influenza virus and protects against influenza subtypes A and type B.

While the seasonal flu was relatively mild in 2009, overshadowed by the H1N1 pandemic, the 2010-1011 flu season no time to become complacent about seasonal flu vaccination. In fact, in January of this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) voted for “universal” flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people. New guidelines state that that everyone six months and older should now get a flu vaccine. Next season's vaccine will protect against the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus and two other flu viruses, making it even more critical to spread the word about flu prevention through immunization.

To make access to necessary influenza vaccines like Fluzone, Fluvirin and Afluria easier, FFF Enterprises, Inc., the nation’s largest and most trusted influenza vaccine distributor, launched an innovative program titled MyFluVaccine (www.MyFluVaccine.com) in 2006. Unlike the traditional influenza vaccine distribution system, with its uncertain delivery dates and quantities, MyFluVaccine gives healthcare providers the ability to choose the exact date they wish to receive their flu vaccine with the certainty of knowing it will arrive on time. In addition to its easy ordering portal, the MyFluVaccine website provides news, updates, resources and clinic planning tools.

For most people, getting immunized against influenza is the easiest and most effective way to reduce their risk of infection. Beneficial vaccines such as Fluzone, Fluvirin and Afluria are an important part of the arsenal that healthcare providers can use to halt the spread of this potentially deadly virus.

About the Author:

MyFluVaccine.com is the author of this article on Fluvirin. Find more information about Fluvirin Distribution here.