The flu is an illness that infects the nose, throat and lungs and is caused by the influenza virus. Shots or the newer nasal inhalation type immunizations are effective protection. Influenza symptoms include fever (usually high), headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches, dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, and occasionally stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
The influenza virus is spread through coughing or sneezing and by touching a hard surface with the virus on it and then touching your nose or mouth. The best way to protect yourself and to prevent the spread of the flu to those you come in contact with is to get vaccinated each year. Shots are available at local health units, doctors’ offices and many other locations.
You can’t catch the flu from flu shots.
Flu vaccine contains a small amount of dead virus that is just enough to get your body’s immune system ready to fight off the real flu when it comes around this winter. If you’re young and healthy, the flu vaccine may be 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing illness. For older adults who are at high risk, a flu shot can reduce hospitalizations by as much as 70 percent and deaths by 85 percent.
If you have not already had the flu this year, you can get vaccinated at any time during the season, but the best time to be immunized is between mid-October and mid-November. This allows your immunity to peak during the height of the influenza season, which is generally December through March. Adults receive the vaccine in one dose. It takes one to two weeks after you’ve been vaccinated for the shot to take effect.
All persons at risk for medical complications from influenza or are more likely to require medical care should receive influenza vaccine annually. All persons who live with or care for persons at high risk for influenza-related complications should also be vaccinated. Approximately 73% of the United States population is included in one or more of these groups; however, only an estimated one third of the United States population received an influenza vaccination in 2006--2007.
Vaccination is recommended for anyone who doesn’t ant to get the flu, and especially for the following persons who are at increased risk for severe complications from influenza, or at higher risk for influenza-associated clinic, emergency department, or hospital visits:
- all children aged six months to five years of age
- all persons over fifty years of age
- residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
- women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
- adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)
- children and adolescents (aged 6 months--18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who therefore might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
- adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
- adults and children who have any conditions that can compromise respiratory function (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders) or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration
Persons who live with or care for persons at high risk for influenza-related complications should also get a flu shot, including:
- healthcare providers
- healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of children less than five years old and adults over fifty years of age
- healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.
In addition to healthcare providers, groups that can transmit influenza to high-risk persons and that should be vaccinated include:
- employees of assisted living and other residences for persons in groups at high risk;
- persons who provide home care to persons in groups at high risk; and
- household contacts (including children) of persons in groups at high risk.
There are two types of flu vaccines that are available and effective at preventing the flu. One is the familiar needle flu shot and the other is the intranasal flu vaccine, which is needle-free. The Arkansas Department of Health reports there is an amply supply of flu vaccine this year. Arkansas is receiving 250,000 doses of the vaccine for use in local public health clinics.
Persons who should not receive influenza vaccine for health reasons are: persons with a severe allergy (i.e. anaphylactic allergic reaction) to eggs and persons who previously had onset of Guillain-Barre syndrome during the 6 weeks after receiving influenza vaccine.
Flu shots cost $20.00 at the Local Health Units in each county, and ADH accepts Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance.
For more information go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.
News Releases
Health Department Sets New Record for Mass Dispensing Flu Exercise November 13, 2007 - The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) set a new record for its Mass Dispensing Flu Exercise and immunized 100,541 Arkansans against influenza last week. The shots were dispensed during a three-day mass flu vaccination clinic with 81 health units statewide participating. read more >
81 County Health Units Providing Free Flu Shots on November 7-10 Counties Testing Mass Dispensing Plan November 7, 2007- Seasonal flu season is near, and it’s also time to get your flu shot. On November 7- 10th, 2007, 81 health units in Arkansas are practicing their Local Mass Dispensing Plans and will be providing free flu shots (see attachment for county locations, dates and times). read more >
Health Department Provides Guidance on Flu Season November 1, 2007 - The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) reminds you that the best way to protect yourself and your family against the flu is to get vaccinated. Shots are available at local health units, doctors’ offices and many other locations. read more >
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High-risk categories include:
- People 65 years of age and older
- Children ages 6 months to 23 months
- Adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic lung or heart disorders including heart disease and asthma
- Pregnant women
- Adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes), kidney diseases, blood disorders (such as sickle cell anemia), or weakened immune systems, including persons with HIV/AIDS
- Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- Children and teenagers, 6 months – 18 years of age, who take aspirin daily
- Health-care workers involved in direct, hands-on care to patients and
- Household members and out-of home caregivers of infants under the age of 6 months (children under the age of 6 months cannot be vaccinated).
- Caregivers and household contacts of persons in high-risk groups
- Children and adolescents aged 2 through 18 years who qualify under the Vaccine for Children (VFC) Program and who are household contacts or out-of-home caregivers of persons in high-risk groups.
Persons who should not receive influenza vaccine for health reasons are:
- Persons with a severe allergy (i.e., anaphylactic allergic reaction) to hens’ eggs and
- Persons who previously had onset of Guillain-Barre syndrome during the 6 weeks after receiving influenza vaccine.
Everyone can take action to help prevent the spread of influenza by doing the following:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick and keep your distance from others if you’re sick
- Whenever possible, stay home from work, school or errands when you are sick
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and
- Wash your hands with soap often.
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