Children Need Second Flu Shot

Arkansas health officials are reminding parents that children in a certain high-risk group should get two flu shots. Arkansas, like the rest of the nation, is experiencing a shortage of flu vaccines this year, and is following recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to administer the shots to high-risk groups only. Children ages six months to younger than nine years who have never received the influenza vaccine before this year should get two doses of it, at least one month apart. Because of the shortage, officials are administering the vaccine only to those children within that age group who are considered high risk. The high-risk groups among children include: --Those ages six months to 23 months. --Youngsters who take aspirin daily. --Those with chronic lung or heart disorders, including heart disease and asthma. --Children with chronic metabolic diseases, including diabetes, kidney diseases, blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia, or with weakened immune systems, such as those with the virus that causes AIDS. The available vaccine was administered, beginning November third, at clinics around the state. And since then, the state Health Department has received additional doses.