Be Child Safe

Author: Marianne Halterman

  • Pfizer has recalled bubble-gum flavored Children’s Advil pain reliever

    Pfizer has recalled 28,000 bottles of its bubble-gum flavored Children’s Advil pain reliever because incorrect markings on the dosage cup may cause some children to overdose. The cup markings are in teaspoons and the instructions on the label are in milliliters, the company said.

    A teaspoon contains approximately five milliliters. Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, a division of Pfizer Inc., said one lot of the 4-ounce bottles of bubble-gum flavored Children’s Advil Suspension were distributed nationwide in May and June.

    To see the bottle you bought is included in the recall, they have a November 2020 expiration date, the marked code R51129 and a UPC number 3-0573-0207-30-0.

    Children’s Advil is commonly used for fevers and minor pain relief from conditions like colds, flu, sore throat, headaches and toothaches.The most common symptoms associated with ibuprofen overdose include nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, blurred vision and dizziness.

    Pfizer said it notified wholesalers, distributors and retailers to arrange for the return of any recalled products, stop distributing it immediately and contact any outlets that might be selling it. About one third of the bottles never made it to market, a Pfizer spokesperson told CBS News.

    What you should do if you have an affected bottle:

    • For instructions on returning product or additional assistance, call Stericycle at (800) 805- 3093 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday.
    • For questions regarding the recall or to report an adverse event, call the Pfizer Consumer Healthcare information line at (800) 882-3845, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday.

    Reporting from patch.com.

  • Virginia’s New Car Seat Law Promotes Better Safety for Kids in Car Seats!

    SafeKids Coalition says that Virginia has a new car seat law which promises better safety for children in car seats. Children riding in cars in Virginia must now sit rear-facing in their car seats until they reach the age of 2 years or the maximum weight and height limit called for by the car seat’s manufacturer. Children in a car seat must ride in the back seat (unless the vehicle does not have a rear seat). The Law will be effective July 1, 2019, and is based on recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

    All children in any type of car seat must ride in the vehicle’s rear seat. Children younger than 8 years old must ride in a car seat or booster seat. Children ages 8 – 17 must wear an adult seat belt.

    SafeKids has created The Ultimate Car Seat Guide to help parents, family members, caregivers and guardians learn more about car seat safety. This helpful Guide can be accessed at this website: https://www.safekids.org/ultimate-car-seat-guide/

    Parents, family members and caregivers in Virginia can check with their area’s SafeKids Coalition to learn where they can get inspection of their children’s car seat by a certified car seat inspector! Parents can even register their children’s car seats and watch important safety videos on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website: https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#install-inspection.

  • Manhattan Toy Recalls Toy Planes Due to Choking Hazard

    Recall Date: August 23, 2018

    Recall Number: 18-206

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Pull-Back Speedy Jets

    Hazard: The rubber tires can separate from the wheels, posing a choking hazard for young children.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and return it to the store where purchased or contact Manhattan Toy for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact:

    Manhattan Toy Company at 800-541-1345 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT on Friday, or online at www.manhattantoy.com and click on “Recalls Information” at the bottom of the homepage for more information.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 5,100 (In addition, about 930 were sold in Canada)

    Description:
    The Pull-Back Speedy Jet is a wooden toy airplane with a blue painted body, natural wood wings and plastic wheels with black rubber tires. The toy has a pull-back feature that propels the plane forward. The model number and lot code are printed on the bottom of the plane. The recall only includes toy planes with lot code 155400 EJ.

    Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received two reports of the rubber tires separating from the wheels. No injuries have been reported.
    Sold At: Small independent stores from August 2017 through June 2018 for about $8.

    Importer: The Manhattan Toy Company LLC, of Minneapolis, Minn.

    Distributor: The Manhattan Toy Company LLC, of Minneapolis, Minn.

    Manufactured in: China

    In Conjunction With: Health Canada

    Health Canada’s press release is available at: http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2018/67340r-eng.php

  • Children Are At Risk Unless You Care!

    Here we are, at the beginning of the new school year all over the Country, and some very disheartening things have happened to children recently, things which should concern  parents, family members, caregivers, and guardians. Things which should make us be more aware of where and with whom we place our children, for their safety and wellbeing.

    You may have read or have seen a video of the police rescuing a small child who was left in a hot car in Seminole County, Florida, for 12 hours, by her parent.Three children who went missing from their home in Dade City were found safe, following an Amber Alert. It was believed that they were abducted by a male parent. Two young girls were killed allegedly by a parent in Colorado–and a pregnant mother and her unborn child were killed. Each of these is a horrific crime–severely punishable according to the statutes of the respective states in which the crimes occurred.  Each of these crimes represents the worst of what can happen to children. And each of these crimes should make family members and caregivers sit up and take notice of where their young children are, who is caring for them when a parent cannot, and determine how responsible the adults are who are caring for their children.

    Watching a child in your care and being present in the moment is first and foremost.  Most parents understand this and are vigilant.  If you are working parents, it is not always possible to be with and monitor your child moment-to-moment. So you make other arrangements, including baby sitters, child day care, pre-school, nursery school, caregivers in your home, or what have you!

    Selecting the appropriate daycare option for your child is a daunting task.  You need to know who the providers are, get references from other parents, possibly do a background check on the organization, and make sure staffing ratio of caregivers to children are good. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a ratio of one adult for every three babies up to 24 months of age is recommended. (We all know that this is not always observed.)  Infants and very young children need more care and more of a caregiver’s time than older children. You want your caregivers to be caring and loving and interact well with your children. If you visit a daycare facility, you would want to see caregivers interacting with children in a positive way. Find out, if you can, what the rate of turnover for caregivers at the facility is; how long have caregivers worked there? Get a commitment from the caregivers you hire that they will be there for a year! Trust your instincts–visit and if you see a daycare is not clean or the children are not well cared for, probably better to check out another place.  Ask questions, what do they do if a child becomes ill, or a caregiver is ill, what are their policies? Do they allow children to nap? Are they given meals and a snack? By all means, ask questions!

    On another topic, If you know because you have witnessed, or you suspect, a child is being abused or is in danger of being abused, SAY SOMETHING!  Call 911! Say something to the authorities, your local police, child protective services or a social services department in your area. Children are our responsibility.  They are the future and we need to keep them safe!

  • Confer Plastics Recalls Pool Step Systems Due to Entrapment and Drowning Hazard

    Recall Date: August 21, 2018

    Recall Number: 18-198

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Curve in-pool step systems

    Hazard: Children’s limbs can become entrapped in the side openings of the step systems, posing a drowning hazard.

    Remedy: Repair

    Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled pool step systems and contact Confer Plastics for a free repair kit. The repair kit will include additional panels to prevent entrapment and installation instructions.

    Consumer Contact: Confer Plastics at 800-635-3213 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.conferplastics.com and click on “Curve Recall” for more information.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 100,000 (In addition, about 2,100 were sold in Canada)

    Description: This recall involves three models of in-pool step systems with curved steps for in-ground and aboveground pools. The steps and handrails are made of gray and beige plastic. The manufacturing/date code is located on the side walls of each step.

    [ultimatetables 20 /]

    Incidents/Injuries: Confer Plastics has received two reports of children’s arms becoming entrapped in the side panel openings of the step systems, including reports of minor abrasions. No drownings have been reported.
    Sold At: Champion Pool Distributors, Cinderella, EMSCO Distributors, Leisure Living, Leslie’s, Superior Pool Products, Water Warehouse stores and other stores nationwide and online at www.conferplastics.com from January 2013 through July 2018 for between $200 and $400.

    Manufacturer: Confer Plastics, of North Tonawanda, N.Y.

    Manufactured in: U.S.

    In Conjunction With: Canada

    Health Canada’s press release is available at: https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2018/67542r-eng.php

  • JCPenney Recalls Okie Dokie Denim Patches Shortie Shorts Due to Choking Hazard

    Recall Date: July 24, 2018

    Recall Number: 18-192

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Okie Dokie Denim Patches Shortie shorts

    Hazard: The patches on the shorts can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumers should immediately stop using the shorts and contact JCPenney for instructions on returning the shorts for a full refund in the form of a JCPenney gift card.

    Consumer Contact:

    JCPenney at 800-322-1189 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday or online at www.jcpenney.com and click on “Help” and then “Product Recalls” for more information.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 5,400

    Description:
    This recall involves Okie Dokie Denim Patches Shortie shorts. These jean shorts have a rainbow and a slice of watermelon patch on the front of each pocket with tan stitching along the seams. The shorts were sold in toddler sizes 2T through 5T. The item number 324-8191 and date code 12/17 are printed on a white tag on the inside back seam of the shorts.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

    Sold Exclusively At: JCPenney stores nationwide and online at www.jcpenney.com from February 2018 through June 2018 for about $22.

    Importer/Distributor: J.C. Penney Corporation Inc., of Plano, Texas

    Manufactured in: China

    This recall was conducted, voluntarily by the company, under CPSC’s Fast Track Recall process. Fast Track recalls are initiated by firms, who commit to work with CPSC to quickly announce the recall and remedy to protect consumers.

    About U.S. CPSC:

    The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

    Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

    For more lifesaving information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC or sign up to receive our e-mail alerts. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired.

    CPSC Consumer Information Hotline

    Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:

    800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)

    Times: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime

    Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

  • CPSC Approves New Federal Safety Standard for Booster Seats

    Release Date: July 18, 2018

    Release Number: 18- 191

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a new federal rule intended to improve the safety of booster seats for children, including booster seats used at home and in restaurants. A booster seat is a “juvenile chair” that is placed on an adult chair to elevate a child, up to five years old, to standard dining table height.

    The new rule does not include children’s booster seats intended for use in cars.

    The new federal safety rule incorporates the most recent voluntary standard developed by ASTM International (ASTM F2460-18, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Booster Seats). It also addresses a number of factors to ensure consumers know the correct way to use a booster seat and how to keep children safe while using them. Requirements in the new standard include:

    • The retail package of the booster seat must indicate the minimum dimensions of the adult chair on which the booster seat will fit.
    • All booster seats must have an active means of attaching to an adult chair, in order to prevent booster seats and children from falling off of the adult chair.
    • Warnings on the booster seat must remind consumers to make sure the booster seat is securely fastened to the adult chair before each use.
    • To prevent falls, consumers are also warned to stop children from pushing away from the table while in the booster seat.

    CPSC is aware of a total of 912 incidents, including two fatalities, related to booster seats, occurring between January 1, 2008 and October 31, 2017. Falls out of booster seats resulting in injuries to the head are the most common injury hazard. Other hazard patterns associated with booster seats include restraint/attachment problems, seat-related issues, including lock/latch failures, and tray and design problems.

    This rule will become effective 18 months after date of publication in the Federal Register and applies to products manufactured or imported on or after that date. This rule will make it illegal to sell products in the United States that do not meet the regulation.

    The Commission is required by Section 104(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (the Danny Keysar Child Product Safety Notification Act) to issue consumer product safety standards for durable infant or toddler products. The Commission has approved new federal safety standards for several durable infant or toddler products, including full-size cribs, non-full-size cribs, play yards, baby walkers, baby bath seats, children’s portable bed rails, strollers, toddler beds, infant swings, handheld infant carriers, soft infant carriers, framed infant carriers, bassinets, cradles, portable hook-on chairs, infant sling carriers, infant bouncer seats, high chairs and baby changing products.

    The Commission voted 4 to 0 to approve the standard on June 26, 2018.

    About U.S. CPSC

    The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals–contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

    Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

    For more lifesaving information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC or sign up to receive our e-mail alerts. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired.

    CPSC Consumer Information Hotline

    Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:

    800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)

    Times: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime

    Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

  • Water Safety This Summer!

    Parents and caregivers, Watching kids in the water is important!  Keeping young ones only as far as arms’ length when in or around water is important.  I read it and say it, over and over. To-date, in New Jersey alone, since May there have been 18 drownings. Some  of these drownings were adults, some were children. Some occurred at the ocean, others in ponds or lakes. Some, at swimming pools. All of them, accidental. None of them should have happened. None of them! And their families’ lives are changed forever.

    Recently a 5-year old female child was pulled from a hotel pool in Florida where there are no lifeguards on duty, and she died. Unsupervised swimming is a terrible idea and can easily result in accidental injury or drowning, especially where little ones are concerned. Even if they have good swimming skills, things happen.

    But simply watching and being present in the moment for the children in your care is easily half the battle in keeping them safe. Won’t you be a “Water Watcher” for your kids, whether they are dipping their toes in the ocean or taking a splash in the pool.

    Approved flotation devices are the only ones children should be wearing if they cannot swim! Ducky tubes and pool noodles don’t save lives; Coast Guard-approved flotation devices that fit properly, swimming lessons for children and adults, and parental/caregiver supervision do! Make sure you do all that you can if young children in your care are going swimming and bathing. 

    As a caregiver and water-watching parent, get CPR-certified too! Check with your local Red Cross, fire department, police department or hospital to learn where CPR certification is offered in your community! Often times, the courses are free with a small donation to whatever organization is offering them!  Do it today, you may be glad you did!

  • Allura Recalls Children’s Sleepwear Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

    Recall Date: July 12, 2018

    Recall Number: 18-188

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Children’s pajamas

    Hazard: The children’s pajamas fail to meet the flammability standard for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled sleepwear, take it away from children and contact Allura for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Allura toll-free at 866-254-3103 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at custservice1@alluraimports.com or online at www.AlluraImports.com and click on “Product Safety Recall” for more information.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 64,000

    Description: This recall involves two styles of children’s sleepwear garments. The first garment is a 100% polyester fleece pajama pant with the brand name “Sweet N Sassy” on the waist label and hang tag. The style number is located on the back of the brand label at the center waist. The second garment is a 95% polyester and 5% spandex onesie with long-sleeves, a hood and front zipper with the brand name “Delia’s Girl” at the neck label and hang tag. The style number is located on the back of the brand label at the neck. The garments were sold in children’s sizes 4-6x and 7-16 in a variety of colors and prints.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported
    Sold At: America’s Kids, Boscov’s, Kids For Less and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, CookiesKids.com, CrazyforBargains.com, Sophiasstyle.com and other websites from September 2017 to April 2018 for between $8 and $13.

    Importer: Allura Imports, of New York

    Distributor: Allura Imports, of New York

    Manufactured in: China

  • Children, the Flu, and the Flu Vaccine

    Children, especially those younger than 5 years, are at higher risk for serious flu-related complications. The flu vaccine offers the best defense against getting the flu and spreading it to others. Getting vaccinated can reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits, missed work and school days, and prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in children. Information on this page summarizes vaccine recommendations for children. Visit this page to learn more about vaccine benefits.

    Note: Frequently Asked Flu Questions 2017-2018 Influenza Season for flu and flu vaccine information specific to the current flu season.

    Influenza is dangerous for children

    Influenza (“the flu”) is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year, millions of children get sick with seasonal influenza; thousands of children are hospitalized and some children die from flu.

    • Children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially before they turn 5 years old.
    • Children younger than 5 years and especially those younger than 2 years are at high risk of serious influenza complications.
    • Children of any age with chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes and disorders of the brain or nervous system also are at high risk of serious flu complications.
    • Flu seasons vary in severity:
      • CDC estimates that since 2010, flu-related hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years ranged from 7,000 to 26,000 in the United States.
      • While relatively rare, some children die from flu each year. Since 2004-2005, flu-related deaths in children reported to CDC during regular flu seasons have ranged from 37 deaths to 171 deaths. Information about pediatric deaths since the 2004-2005 flu season is available in the interactive pediatric death web application.

    The single best way to protect your children from the flu is to get them vaccinated each year.

    The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Traditional flu vaccines (called “trivalent” vaccines) are made to protect against three flu viruses; an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus. In addition, there are flu vaccines made to protect against four flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines). These vaccines protect against the same three viruses as the trivalent vaccine and an additional B virus.

    What kinds of flu vaccines are available for children?

    Influenza vaccine options for the 2017-2018 season are listed in “TABLE: Influenza vaccines — United States, 2017–2018 influenza season. Different products are approved for different age groups, including children as young as 6 months of age.

    Note that while there is a quadrivalent nasal spray vaccine that is FDA approved for the U.S. market, ACIP and CDC recommend that nasal spray vaccine not be used during the 2017-2018 season because of concerns about how well it works.

    Your child’s health care provider will know which vaccines are right for your child.

    • CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine.
      Keep in mind that vaccination is especially important for certain people who are high risk or who are in close contact with high risk persons. This includes children at high risk for developing complications from influenza illness, and adults who are close contacts of those children.

    For the complete list of those at high risk, visit People at High Risk of Developing Flu–Related Complications.

    There are special vaccination instructions for children aged 6 months through 8 years of age

    Some children 6 months through 8 years of age require two doses of influenza vaccine. Children 6 months through 8 years getting vaccinated for the first time, and those who have only previously gotten one dose of vaccine, should get two doses of vaccine this season. All children who have previously gotten two doses of vaccine (at any time) only need one dose of vaccine this season. The first dose should be given as soon as vaccine becomes available.

    The second dose should be given at least 28 days after the first dose. The first dose “primes” the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection. Children who only get one dose but need two doses can have reduced or no protection from a single dose of flu vaccine.

    If your child needs the two doses, begin the process early. This will ensure that your child is protected before influenza starts circulating in your community.

    Be sure to get your child a second dose if he or she needs one. It usually takes about two weeks after the second dose for protection to begin.

    Recommendations on the control and prevention of influenza are published annually, in late summer or early fall. Existing recommendations are available at Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Resources for Health Professionals.

    Some children are at especially high risk

    Children at greatest risk of serious flu-related complications include the following:

    1. Children younger than 6 months old
      These children are too young to be vaccinated. The best way to protect them is to make sure people around them are vaccinated.
    2. Children aged 6 months up to their 5th birthday
      Since 2010, CDC estimates that flu-related hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years ranged from 7,000 to 26,000 in the United States. Even children in this age group who are otherwise healthy are at risk simply because of their age. Additionally, children 2 years of age up to their 5th birthday are more likely than healthy older children to be taken to a doctor, an urgent care center, or the emergency room because of flu1,2,3. To protect their health, all children 6 months and older should be vaccinated against the flu each year. Vaccinating young children, their families, and other caregivers can also help protect them from getting sick.
      1CDC Influenza Vaccine Program Impact Report 2015-2016
      2Bourgeois F, Valim C, Wei J, et al. Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus–Related Emergency Department Visits Among Young Children. Pediatrics 2006; Volume 118 /Issue 1
      3Poehling K, Edwards K, Weinberg G, et al. The Underrecognized Burden of Influenza in Young Children. The New England Journal of Medicine 2006; 355:31-4
    3. American Indian and Alaskan Native children
      These children are more likely to have severe flu illness that results in hospitalization or death.4,5
      4CDC. Deaths Related to 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Among American Indian/Alaskan Natives — 12 States, 2009. MMWR. 2009;58(48);1341-1344.
      5CDC. Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2010. MMWR. 2010; 59(No.RR-8).
    4. Children aged 6 months through 18 years with chronic health problems, including:
      • Asthma
      • Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury].
      • Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
      • Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
      • Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
      • Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
      • Kidney disorders
      • Liver disorders
      • Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
      • Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids); and
      • Children who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy

    Children should be vaccinated every flu season

    Children should be vaccinated every flu season for the best protection against flu. For children who will need two doses of flu vaccine, the first dose should be given as early in the season as possible. For other children, it is good practice to get them vaccinated by the end of October, if possible. However, getting vaccinated later can still be protective, as long as flu viruses are circulating. While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks between December and February. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community.

    Additional Information: