[Press Release] : National Influenza Vaccination Week

[Press Releases]

You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of
Columbia’s Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided
links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.
______________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Chris Coffman, Public Health Nurse Supervisor - (573) 874-7453
or (573) 874-7346, jccoffma at GoColumbiaMo.com or Deidre Wood, Public
Information Specialist - (573) 874-7632
dfwood at GoColumbiaMo.com 

National Influenza Vaccination Week

COLUMBIA, MO (November 26, 2007) - The National Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the week after Thanksgiving,
Nov. 26-Dec. 2, as National Influenza Vaccination Week. This event is
designed to highlight the importance of continuing flu (influenza)
vaccinations and to encourage a greater public use of the flu vaccine.
This week also includes Children’s Flu Vaccination Day on Tuesday,
Nov. 27.

Each year over 20,000 children under age five are hospitalized as a
result of influenza. Vaccination of children is important because this
group is at the highest risk of getting sick with the flu. According to
the CDC, a vaccinated child has 70-90 percent less risk of having the
flu than an unvaccinated child. The CDC and the Columbia/Boone County
Health Department recommends that children 6 months and older should be
immunized for the flu. 

The second goal of National Influenza Week is to remind citizens it is
not too late to be vaccinated for the flu. Flu season occurs in February
and into March 60 percent of the time. Protection from the flu begins
within hours of being vaccinated. 

The Columbia/Boone County Health Department will continue to offer the
flu shot and FluMist on a walk-in basis until the vaccine supply is
exhausted. The cost of the flu vaccination is $20 payable by cash or
check. Medicaid and Medicare are also accepted. Flu vaccine will
continue to be offered at the Health Department on a walk-in basis until
the vaccine supply is exhausted. If you have questions, please call our
clinic at (573) 874-7453 or (573) 874-7356. More information on the flu
is available at www.familiesfightingflu.org or www.GoColumbiaMo.com.

- 30 -
______________________________________________________

Archived press releases can be viewed online at: 
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/

______________________________________________________

If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or
subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and
follow the instructions provided. 

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Web_Mail/index.php