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PR-10/16/2003: Health Officials Advise: "Now is the Time to Prevent the Flu"

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 16, 2003 San Mateo County Health Services Agency Contact: Sam Stebbins, MD (650) 573-2757 HEALTH OFFICIALS ADVISE:"NOW IS THE TIME TO PREVENT THE FLU" San Mateo, CA--Even in an "average" year, an estimated twenty to forty thousand people in the United States die from influenza. San Mateo County Public Health is reminding residents to protect themselves from influenza before flu season arrives. "Annual flu immunization is especially important for adults fifty and older and for anyone with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and liver disease. These folks are particularly susceptible to developing pneumonia from influenza, and this can lead to hospitalization or even death," said Dr. Sam Stebbins, San Mateo County Deputy Health Officer. How to get immunized Contact your regular health care provider. Attend a San Mateo County Public Health flu clinic if you are 60 years of age or older or have a chronic medical condition and are at least 18. Clinic schedules are available in English and Spanish on the Web at http://www.smhealth.org/public.html. Call San Mateo County's FLU Hotline (English and Spanish) at (650) 573-3927 or the Visiting Nurse's Association at (800) 500-2400. Visit a participating pharmacy. Public Health strongly recommends influenza vaccination for the following groups: People at higher risk of serious illness if infected with influenza: Everyone age fifty and older Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities Adults and children over six months of age who have chronic heart or lung conditions, (including asthma), or chronic illnesses such as diabetes, liver disease or kidney disease, or weakened immune systems for any reason Women who will be more than three months pregnant between December and April, 2004 Persons who have extensive close contact with people in the above categories: Staff at hospitals, clinics, medical offices, nursing homes and long-term care facilities Employees of assisted-living residences and those providing in-home care Household members (including children) of people in high-risk groups EMS, fire and police staff General Population: Influenza vaccination for healthy children 6–23 months of age is indicated when feasible as they are at increased risk of more severe disease if infected Students in dormitories or others in institutions should be encouraged to get a flu shot Anyone six months of age or older who wants to lower his/her chances of getting the flu can be vaccinated Flu facts Immunity only lasts for one season, so a flu shot is required every year. The flu shot contains no live virus and cannot give you the flu. Side effects are typically minimal and consist of local soreness at the injection site and mild aching. There is a new vaccine called "Flumist" which is sprayed into a person's nose. This has been approved for healthy persons age 5–49. This nasal vaccine does contain a live virus. People with severe allergies to eggs should not receive either vaccine. Check with your regular provider to see if you should have a pneumonia shot as well. Go to http://www.cdc.gov/nip/Flu/Public.htm at the Centers for Disease Control for more information. ###