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When it comes to getting a flu shot, where do
you stand?
I plan
to get a flu shot this year.
I do not plan
to get a flu shot this year.
I’m not sure
if I will get a flu shot this year.
If you’re not planning to get a flu shot, what
would it take to change your mind? Do you
have the correct information to make an
informed choice? Check your flu facts with
our true/false quiz:
1. True or false:
Getting the flu shot can give
you the flu.
2. True or false:
The flu shot is recommended
each year for all people ages 6 months and older.
3. True or false:
If you had a flu shot last year, you
don’t need another one this year.
The answer to No. 1 is
false
. The flu shot cannot
give you the flu. This is only a myth. Some people
may have mild side effects from the vaccine such
as low-grade fever, aches or soreness, redness or
swelling where the shot was given.
A+ for parenting!
Get teen exams
Health exams are not just for young kids.
Preteens, teens and college students all need
checkups and the vaccines that are part of
those yearly exams. Since some vaccines
that children get when they’re young can
wear off, they may need booster shots (extra
doses) as they get older to stay protected from
certain diseases.
There also are certain vaccines made just for
preteens and teens. Your teen’s
doctor can tell you which
vaccines are right for your
older child. Call to schedule a
yearly checkup for your teen. It’s
the best way you can make the
grade as a parent and give your
teen a healthy start as an adult.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
website: aap.org
Share for better care
When you see a specialist or go to the
emergency room, are you telling your main
or primary doctor? Make sure your doctors
and specialists all know about all the care
you get. It helps the doctors, so you don’t
have to go through the same tests twice.
That saves time and money. It also helps to
make sure you have the best outcome for
your health concern. You play a big role in
making sure you get the right care for any
problems you have.
Be sure to:
•
Share the names of each of your
providers with all doctors who give
you care.
•
Tell all your doctors when you are
prescribed medicine from a provider.
Tell them if you are hospitalized or see
a specialist.
•
Sign a consent form to release medical
records so your information can be
shared by different providers.
It’s key to share for better care.
Shots to stop childhood diseases
What all parents need to know: childhood shots
Some childhood diseases used to be
common and caused severe sickness or even
sometimes death. There are shots that help
stop some of these childhood diseases, so
now many of these diseases are rare. The
shots are called immunizations or vaccines.
The childhood diseases that can be stopped
by these shots include measles, mumps,
chickenpox, tetanus, pertussis, diphtheria and
other conditions. Getting shots at the right
time and at the right age is the best way to
keep not only your child healthy but also your
child’s family and friends.
To see a list of shots your child should get and
when, go to
UniCare.com
.
❯
❯
Click on
Medicaid
at the top of
the screen.
❯
❯
In the
Select a State
menu, choose
West
Virginia
. Click on the orange
Enter
button.
❯
❯
Choose
Preventive Health Guidelines
.
More information and tips about how
shots that avoid sickness work can
be found on the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention website at
CDC.gov/vaccines/parents/index.html
.
Is the flu shot
for you?
The answer to No. 2 is
true
. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention does recommend
a yearly flu shot for everyone ages 6 months and
older. Even if you’re healthy, without the vaccine,
you can still get the flu or pass it on to friends,
family and co-workers.
The answer to No. 3 is
false
. The flu shot is only
good for one year. That’s because each year the
vaccine may target different strains of the virus.
If you have questions about the flu vaccine or
where to go to get it, please call your primary care
provider (PCP) or the Member Services number
listed on your member ID card. You can also go
online to
CDC.gov/flu
.
Source: CDC.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
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My Health