Dear Editor:

With diseases such as whooping cough and measles (and now mumps in the National Hockey League) making a nationwide comeback, organizations such as VaxMaineKids, MaineHealth and the Maine Immunization Program are working harder than ever, using safe and effective immunizations, to protect Maine children from preventable diseases.

Now that influenza has arrived in Lincoln County, I want to remind you that influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older and that it’s not too late to get your flu shot!

Influenza infects millions of people every season. Over 200,000 people are hospitalized, and 3,000- 49,000 people die from flu each year in the United States. There were 109 pediatric flu deaths in the U.S. last year, and there have already been five pediatric flu deaths in the 2014-2015 season.

This year, you may have heard about reduced protection against the influenza H3N2 strain, usually a particularly “nasty” flu strain. This year’s vaccine will still protect against some H3N2 as well as influenza A (H1N1) and influenza B.

Influenza vaccine is especially important to protect people who are at increased risk of complications. Older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, cancer or heart disease are all at high risk.

It’s recommended that pregnant women receive a flu shot — not only to protect themselves from the risks of preterm labor, stillbirth and miscarriage, but also to benefit their newborn babies by transferring maternal antibodies that will help protect them until they are old enough to be vaccinated.

As a parent of three children and a local pediatrician who has treated children with severe cases of flu, missed a week of medical school (not during a pediatrics month!) sick in bed with the flu, and as a parent who cares deeply about the health of Maine children and families, I urge you to get vaccinated today, before it’s too late.

Andy Russ, MD

Lincoln Medical Partners Pediatrics