[Press Release] : Flu Season Precautions and Information

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Heather Baer - (573) 874-7632

Flu Season Precautions and Information

COLUMBIA, MO (September 29, 2005) -- The Columbia/Boone County Health Department would like to remind residents of ways to reduce and prevent the spread of the flu this year.

How can you help prevent the spread of the flu?

*Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

*Stay home from school or work when you are sick.

*Cover you mouth and nose when you are coughing or sneezing.

*If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper arm, not your hands.

*Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

*Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

When will flu shots be available?
The Columbia-Boone County Health Department will be offering flu immunizations as vaccine becomes available.  Vaccine will be shipped to the health department in several increments over the 2005-06 flu season beginning in October.   Immunizations will be administered in the Sanford-Kimpton building located at 1005 W. Worley.  Cost for the flu vaccine will be $15 payable by cash or check only.  Medicaid and Medicare are accepted.  The health department is unable to bill private insurance.  The health department will begin scheduling flu immunization clinics as soon as flu vaccine is received.  The media and public will be notified of clinics immediately.  Residents are also encouraged to check with their health care provider for vaccine availability and clinics being held in the community.

Pneumonia vaccine is available through the health department year round at a cost of $20.  People should check with their physician to determine if they should consider getting this immunization.

Who should get a flu shot and when?
To ensure that people who are at highest risk of complications from influenza have access to vaccine, the Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that certain priority groups receive inactivated influenza vaccine (i.e., the "flu shot") until October 24, 2005. Beginning October 24, 2005, all persons will be eligible for vaccination. The following are the priority groups which should be targeted to receive inactivated influenza vaccine (i.e., the flu shot) prior to October 24, 2005:

*persons aged 65 years and older, with and without chronic health conditions 
*residents of long-term care facilities 
*persons aged 2-64 years with chronic health conditions 
*children aged 6-23 months 
*pregnant women 
*health-care personnel who provide direct patient care 
*household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children aged <6 months 

Vaccination with the live, nasal-spray flu vaccine (FluMist®) is always an option for healthy persons aged 5-49 years who are not pregnant. This vaccine is not subject to prioritization and can be given to healthy 5-49 year olds at any time.  The health department also plans to offer FluMist®.
 
For more information regarding the flu go to the CDC's web site at www.cdc.gov/flu. 

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