As a result of the national vaccine shortage, local health units will be giving influenza vaccinations to high-risk groups only. If you are not in a
high-risk group category, you will not be eligible to receive vaccine.
To determine if you should not receive the
vaccine, click here.
To learn how you can help prevent the spread of influenza,
click here.
Currently, there is no licensed vaccine available in the United States except the vaccine provided by Aventis Pasteur. The Arkansas Department of Health is working with the
Arkansas Attorney General’s Office to alert consumers and health providers about vaccine pricing and source concerns. You may report suspicious pricing practices or vaccine sources to the Attorney General’s Office at (501) 682-2341 or (800) 482-8982. Contact Information
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
