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<DIV>The following press release is now available on line at:</DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Health/Documents/SeasonalFlu9-10-09.pdf">http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Health/Documents/SeasonalFlu9-10-09.pdf</A></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Press Release<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>September 9, 2009<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></B></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right><FONT face=Calibri size=3>Contact: Geni Alexander, Public Information Officer</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right><FONT face=Calibri size=3>573.874.7632 or </FONT><A href="mailto:grw@gocolumbiamo.com"><FONT face=Calibri size=3>gaalexan@gocolumbiamo.com</FONT></A><FONT face=Calibri size=3> </FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Calibri><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri">Health Department Announces Seasonal Flu Vaccine Availability<BR></SPAN></B><FONT size=3><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri">Help Fight the Flu This Year with a Flu Vaccination</SPAN></I><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></FONT></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services will offer seasonal flu vaccine to Boone County residents beginning next Friday, September 18<SUP>th</SUP>. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approximately 36,000 deaths result each year from influenza. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community against the flu. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>The health department will offer flu shots and FluMist® at the following times:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>Friday, September 18<SUP>th</SUP> from 9 am – 1 pm<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>Monday, September 21<SUP>st</SUP> from 2 pm – 7 pm<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>Both clinics will be held at the health department and are open to the public. Flu shots and FluMist® will be offered for $25. Although we cannot bill private insurances, we do bill Medicaid and Medicare. In addition to the seasonal flu vaccine, the health department will also offer a pneumonia vaccine for $40. Citizens should check with their physician first to determine if they should consider getting this vaccine.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>While everyone is encouraged to get a seasonal flu vaccination, the CDC specifically targets the following populations:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>pregnant women <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>people 50 years of age and older <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including: <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
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<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>health care workers <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated) <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI></UL></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1in"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>The seasonal flu vaccine offered at these clinics will not protect against the H1N1 virus currently circulating. An H1N1 vaccine is currently in clinical trials. If that vaccine is approved for the public, we expect shipments to arrive later this fall. We will alert the public when the H1N1 vaccine is available. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>In the meantime, you can protect yourself and your family by:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>washing your hands thoroughly and frequently with warm water and soap; if water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>avoiding contact with sick people<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI></UL>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>Help protect your community by:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>staying home if you’re sick – at least 24 hours after fever subsides without the use of fever-reducing medication<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>covering your cough and sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve –then putting the tissue in the trash<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT face=Calibri size=3>For more information on flu, please call the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services at 573.874.7355 or visit </FONT></SPAN><A href="http://www.fighttheflumo.com/"><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT face=Calibri size=3>www.FightTheFluMO.com</FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>-###-<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>