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WESTPORT, Conn. The nasal flu vaccine FluMist is available now at the Westport Weston Health District, the district announced Tuesday.
FluMist is a live, attenuated influenza vaccine, or LAIV, which means it contains live virus particles with very low virulence. It is recommended for healthy individuals between ages 2 and 49.
Everyone is susceptible to getting the flu. Children, people over 65, pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu, the health district says.
People who should not receive this nasal vaccine include adults over 50 or children between 6 and 23 months; children under 5 with asthma or one or more episodes of wheezing in the past year; people who have long-term chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, anemia or kidney or liver disease; anyone with a weakened immune system; children on long-term aspirin treatment; people with a severe allergy to eggs, gentamicin, gelatin or argine; or any person who has had a severe reaction to a previous influenza vaccine.
The vaccine costs $35 and is payable by cash, Visa or Master Card, or through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance. For more information or to make an appointment, call Loren Pace, RN, at (203) 227-9571, ext. 231.
Do you get vaccinated for the flu?
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