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Interview with Dr. Sandra Fryhofer
Aired September 30, 2002 - 14:38 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Tomorrow marks the start of the flu shot season, and you may be surprised to find out who should get a shot this year.
Joining us now, Dr. Sandra Fryhofer -- Hi, Dr. Sandy (ph).
DR. SANDRA FRYHOFER, INTERNIST: Hi, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Whoops, there was Ann Kellan -- there we go, we got Dr...
We have got Ann Kellan coming up next. I know you guys are sitting together. OK. Back to those flu shots.
FRYHOFER: People trying to get away from the shot already.
PHILLIPS: There you go, they are running. Let's talk about the age here. That is newest news, right?
FRYHOFER: That is right. What we are supposed to do now is target the people that are high risk, but there is a new group that you may not think of, and that is babies age 6 months to 2 years old, and that is because these tiny babies and toddlers have an increased risk of having to get hospitalized if they get the flu.
Now, still on the list are the seniors age 65 and over, people that have chronic medical problems, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, immune system problems, children that are on long-term aspirin therapy. And another one you might not realize is pregnant women who will be in their second or third trimester during the flu season, because this group doesn't have a very good track record when it comes to getting the flu either.
PHILLIPS: So, is there somebody who should absolutely not have this flu shot?
FRYHOFER: If you are allergic to eggs, you should not get the flu shot. Also, if you are allergic to components in the vaccine, you shouldn't get it.
Now if you have a cold and a little tiny bit of a fever, it is fine to go ahead and get the shot. If you have a super-high fever, probably not. But, just some cold symptoms, you ought to go ahead and roll your sleeve up and get the shot.
PHILLIPS: Oh, boy. Now you say get the shot. Now, for those that are a little freaked out by needles, I heard a rumor that possibly there might be a vaccine that you can get without the needle. Is that true?
FRYHOFER: I heard that rumor, but it is not here yet. It is called FluMist, and it is at the FDA, but there are safety and efficacy problems, so it hasn't been released. They are not sure if it will be. I actually tried to contact the company that makes it several times, and they haven't returned my calls. So can't tell you the latest on that. The FDA is mum is the word until they release it, but it is there and they are looking at it.
PHILLIPS: All right. Dr. Sandy (ph), when we do find out, you will come back, right?
FRYHOFER: I will.
PHILLIPS: OK. Very good.
FRYHOFER: Go ahead and get yours in November, because you are a well person. The high-risk people should be doing it now.
PHILLIPS: Thank you, Mom. All right. We'll see you again.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 30, 2002 - 14:38 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Tomorrow marks the start of the flu shot season, and you may be surprised to find out who should get a shot this year.
Joining us now, Dr. Sandra Fryhofer -- Hi, Dr. Sandy (ph).
DR. SANDRA FRYHOFER, INTERNIST: Hi, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Whoops, there was Ann Kellan -- there we go, we got Dr...
We have got Ann Kellan coming up next. I know you guys are sitting together. OK. Back to those flu shots.
FRYHOFER: People trying to get away from the shot already.
PHILLIPS: There you go, they are running. Let's talk about the age here. That is newest news, right?
FRYHOFER: That is right. What we are supposed to do now is target the people that are high risk, but there is a new group that you may not think of, and that is babies age 6 months to 2 years old, and that is because these tiny babies and toddlers have an increased risk of having to get hospitalized if they get the flu.
Now, still on the list are the seniors age 65 and over, people that have chronic medical problems, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, immune system problems, children that are on long-term aspirin therapy. And another one you might not realize is pregnant women who will be in their second or third trimester during the flu season, because this group doesn't have a very good track record when it comes to getting the flu either.
PHILLIPS: So, is there somebody who should absolutely not have this flu shot?
FRYHOFER: If you are allergic to eggs, you should not get the flu shot. Also, if you are allergic to components in the vaccine, you shouldn't get it.
Now if you have a cold and a little tiny bit of a fever, it is fine to go ahead and get the shot. If you have a super-high fever, probably not. But, just some cold symptoms, you ought to go ahead and roll your sleeve up and get the shot.
PHILLIPS: Oh, boy. Now you say get the shot. Now, for those that are a little freaked out by needles, I heard a rumor that possibly there might be a vaccine that you can get without the needle. Is that true?
FRYHOFER: I heard that rumor, but it is not here yet. It is called FluMist, and it is at the FDA, but there are safety and efficacy problems, so it hasn't been released. They are not sure if it will be. I actually tried to contact the company that makes it several times, and they haven't returned my calls. So can't tell you the latest on that. The FDA is mum is the word until they release it, but it is there and they are looking at it.
PHILLIPS: All right. Dr. Sandy (ph), when we do find out, you will come back, right?
FRYHOFER: I will.
PHILLIPS: OK. Very good.
FRYHOFER: Go ahead and get yours in November, because you are a well person. The high-risk people should be doing it now.
PHILLIPS: Thank you, Mom. All right. We'll see you again.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
