HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO HOLD ANNUAL FLU CLINIC

Contact:  Becky Brooks, 618-244-7134 bbrooks@jchdil.org

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

September 24, 2012

JEFFERSON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO HOLD ANNUAL FLU CLINIC        

Mt. Vernon-   The Jefferson County Health Department will be conducting their annual flu clinic on October 2, 2012.  The health department will shut down all other services for that afternoon to give flu shots from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.  All nurses will be available and ready to give you a flu shot and get you on your way. 

Everyone over 6 months of age should get a flu shot.  Each season the flu vaccine is modified to protect against the strains of influenza that will most likely be circulating in the upcoming fall, winter and spring months.  Flu season can start as early as October and most often peaks in January or February, and can last until April or May.  Since different influenza viruses circulate every year, it is important to get a flu shot annually. 

The cost of the flu shot is $26.  Acceptable forms of payment include cash, check, Medicare Part B only, medicaid with current medical card in hand and state employees with a state insurance card and photo ID. 

Becky Brooks, Director of Nursing at the health department states, “It takes about two weeks for your body to build up immunity to the flu virus.  Each year the flu kills about 36,000 in the U.S and hospitalizes about 200,000.  It’s important to get your flu shot now so you will be protected when flu season peaks.”   

Starting October 1^st, the Jefferson County Health Department will offer flu shots on a walk-in basis during normal business hours.  The health department closes for lunch from 12 – 1 except for the 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays of the month when the office closes for lunch from 1:30 – 2:30 on our late days. The health department will be closed on Monday, October 8^th for Columbus Day and Monday, November 12^th for Veterans Day.  

For more information, contact the Jefferson County Health Department at 244-7134.

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It’s Time to Get Your Flu Shot

No excuses - you cannot get the flu from a flu shot

SPRINGFIELD – Influenza vaccine is starting to arrive at local health departments, pharmacies and health care clinics around the state.  The Illinois Department of Public Health, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is recommending everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot as soon as it is available.

“It’s important to get a seasonal flu shot every year as the flu strains often change year to year and the vaccine effectiveness declines,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck.  “One of the biggest myths and most common reasons people don’t get a flu shot is because they think they get the flu from a flu shot.  The viruses in the flu vaccine are either killed or weakened, so you cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine.” 

Every flu season is different and influenza infection can affect people differently.  Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others.  Flu deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people each year.  During a regular flu season, about 90 percent of deaths occur in people 65 years and older. 

There are three different flu shots available, as well as a nasal spray.

·         Regular flu shot approved for people ages 6 months and older

·         High-dose flu shot approved for people 65 and older

·         Intradermal flu shot (smaller needle) approved for people 18 to 64 years of age

The nasal-spray flu vaccine is approved for healthy people 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Some minor side effects that could occur include a low-grade fever, body aches or soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given.  If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last a day or two.  Most people who receive influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it.

To be protected, children ages 6 months through 8 years need two doses of influenza vaccine (at least four weeks apart) during their first flu season. 

There are some people who cannot be vaccinated, such as babies younger than six months and those who are allergic to the vaccine.  It is important for people who can be vaccinated, to do so, to protect vulnerable populations who could become seriously ill.  People who are at high risk of developing serious complications if they get the flu include people 65 years and older, pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease. 

This year’s flu vaccine is made in the same way as past flu vaccines and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an average of 100 million doses of influenza vaccine has been used in the United States each year and the vaccine has an excellent safety record. 

It is not too early to get your flu shot.  You can be vaccinated in September and be protected throughout the entire flu season.  The season typically runs from October through May with the peak in January.  It takes about two weeks after receiving the vaccine for antibodies to build up in the body, so it is important to get the vaccine before you start seeing flu activity.

To reduce the spread of influenza and other contagious diseases, it is always important to practice the 3 C’s –

·         Clean – properly wash your hands frequently

·         Cover – cover your cough and sneeze

·         Contain – contain your germs by staying home if you are sick

For more information, log onto http://www.idph.state.il.us/flu/index.htm.  To find out where you can get a flu shot, go to http://flushot.healthmap.org/.

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"Take 3" to prevent the Flu

Common Flu Precautions Recommended

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) laboratory has confirmed a total of three cases of what is known as the H3N2v influenza virus.  IDPH is working with local, state and federal health officials to reduce the spread of this virus, but additional cases are possible, therefore it is important to take preventative steps.  The three confirmed cases all report having contact with swine at agricultural fairs in central Illinois.  All three cases are children, and none have required hospitalization.

H3N2v is a variant form of influenza A.  The Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) is currently reporting approximately 225 cases in nine states is the U.S. this year.  Most infections have occurred following contact with swine, with no evidence the virus is being continuously passed from person to person.  So far, the severity of illnesses associated with this virus in people has been similar to the severity of illnesses associated with seasonal flu virus infections.

“The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Agriculture are closely monitoring this new strain of influenza,” said IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck.  “By taking a few preventive steps, like washing your hands frequently and not eating around farm animals, you greatly decrease your risk of getting the flu.”

The state health department and the state agriculture department have increased hand washing stations on the state fair grounds in Springfield and Du Quoin, and provided guidance and prevention recommendations to fair exhibitors, local health departments, health care providers and fair-goers.  The department of agriculture looks at every animal that enters the state fair grounds and a veterinarian is on site.

Tips to avoid influenza include:

·         Wash your hands frequently with soap and water before and after exposure to animals.

·         Do not eat, drink or put anything in your mouth while visiting animal areas.

·         Do not take food or drinks into animal areas.

·         Avoid close contact with animals that look or act ill.

·         Use caution when deciding to visit an animal area if you have an underlying health condition.

Influenza is contracted through droplets when an infected person or animal coughs or sneezes.  Those droplets can either be inhaled or can be on a surface you touch with your hand, and then touch your mouth or nose.

Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache and fatigue.  Illness can last a week or two.  Certain people have a higher risk of serious infection from influenza including the very young, elderly, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems and those with asthma, diabetes and heart disease.  If you are among one of these groups, be cautious about being around animals.  If you have, or do come into contact with swine and are experiencing flu symptoms, contact your health care provider.

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Melaney Arnold

Illinois Department of Public Health

Communications Manager

(217) 558-0500

melaney.arnold@illinois.gov

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