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PR-10/04/2006: Health Officials Advise All Residents to Get Vaccinated Before Flu Season Arrives

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 4, 2006 San Mateo County Health Department Contact: Beverly Thames, (650) 573-3935 SAN MATEO COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS ADVISE ALL RESIDENTS TO GET VACCINATED BEFORE FLU SEASON ARRIVES SAN MATEO, Calif. - Each year, on average, 36,000 people die and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized due to seasonal flu in the United States. The San Mateo County Health Department is reminding residents to protect themselves from influenza before flu season arrives. "Annual flu immunization is especially important for adults fifty and older, anyone with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, health care personnel who provide direct patient care, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age, and all children aged 6 to 59 months," said Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County Health Officer. "The earlier you get the flu vaccine, the sooner you and those you care for are protected." This year, there is ample flu vaccine. According to vaccine manufacturers, about 75 million doses will be distributed by the end of October. This amount is about 15 million more doses than were distributed by the end of October 2005. While the high risk groups listed above need to make every effort to get vaccinated, all county residents can benefit from vaccination and should plan to get vaccinated this year. Residents have several options for getting influenza vaccine this year: Contact your regular health care provider. Ask your employer if the company is offering flu clinics. Attend a San Mateo County Public Health flu shot clinic if you are 60 years of age or older or have a chronic medical condition and are at least 18. Clinics begin on October 12 and run through December. The suggested donation is $5.00. Visit www.smhealth.org/flu to get a clinic schedule or call the flu hotline at (650) 573-3927 to hear a recorded listing of clinics offered in your area. Call Sutter VNA at (800) 500-2400 or go to www.findaflushot.com for a schedule of other flu clinics in the community. Visit a participating pharmacy. The nasal spray vaccine is approved for healthy individuals aged 5 to 49 years. This is an option for many health care workers and others, including the household contacts and caregivers of at-risk children or adults. Talk with your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information. FLU FACTS Immunity only lasts for one season, so a flu shot is required every year. Children younger than 9 years old who have never received flu vaccine need two vaccines to be fully protected. 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. Nasal spray vaccine contains a live virus and is only recommended for healthy persons aged 5 to 49 years who are not pregnant. 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. ###