Immediate Release
January 11, 2010
Little Rock - The Arkansas Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are reminding Arkansans that it’s not too late to vaccinate for seasonal and H1N1 influenza. There is plenty of vaccine available at local health units in each county and vaccine is available for a minimal charge at a large number of pharmacies and doctor’s offices around the state. This week (January 10-16, 2010) is also National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination as well as fostering greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season.
Though this has been an unprecedented year in terms of the number of people who have received flu vaccinations, most people still have not gotten the 2009 H1N1 vaccine—there is still room for improvement among every age and risk group. Influenza is unpredictable and we do not know the likelihood of a future wave of 2009 HiN1 influenza, but we do know that vaccination is the single best way to reduce the health impact of influenza.
The National Influenza Vaccination Week campaign recognizes different groups each day who should receive the H1N1 vaccine:
General Public and Health Care Workers
Monday, January 11 is the official vaccination day for both health care workers and the general public. Now that more 2009 H1N1 vaccine is available and high risk groups have had the opportunity to get vaccinated, anyone 6 months or older in the general public is encouraged to get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 flu. Health care workers are among those at high risk of getting and spreading the flu to high risk patients, so it’s important that health care or emergency medical services personnel who haven’t received their 2009 H1N1 vaccine yet to get it now.
People with Chronic Health Conditions
Tuesday, January 12 is the designated vaccination day for people with chronic health conditions that put them at high-risk of serious influenza-related complications. Those high-risk conditions include asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney and liver disorders, neurological disorders, blood disorders, cancer, HIV or AIDS, and others. The flu can make chronic health problems worse. Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections are a few examples of flu-related complications.
People with high risk conditions ages 25 through 64 years of age have been hit especially hard by 2009 H1N1. A large majority of serious infections and deaths have occurred in this group. It’s important that people who fall within this high risk group, or those with a high risk condition listed above, get vaccinated this year.
Pregnant Women, Children and Caregivers of Children less than 6 Months Old Wednesday, January 13 will highlight the importance of 2009 H1N1 vaccination for pregnant women, children, and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age. 2009 H1N1 flu is very serious for these three groups.
A pregnant woman who gets flu has a greater chance for serious problems and even death from influenza. Vaccinating the mother during pregnancy can reduce the risk of influenza for her and for her baby.
Children of all ages are at increased risk of influenza illness, especially children under the age of 2 and children of any age who have chronic health conditions like asthma, neurological conditions, heart disease or diabetes. These children are at increased risk for complications from flu. Getting the flu can cause children to miss school and activities, and sometimes result in hospitalization, or sadly, even death. From April through December 2009, 289 flu-related deaths in children nationwide have been reported to CDC. Children less than 10 years old should have a second H1N1 shot and children less than 9 years old who have never before been vaccinated for the seasonal flu should have a second seasonal flu shot. The first and second shots should be given at least four weeks apart.
Household contacts and caregivers of children 6 months and younger are strongly recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine because these children are not old enough to receive the vaccine and could become very sick if they get the flu. The best way to protect these children is to make sure that their caregivers and other adults and children who live with them get vaccinated.
Young Adults
The 2009 H1N1 virus targets many of the same high risk groups as seasonal flu. However, unlike seasonal flu, the 2009 H1N1 virus has also spread quickly among young adults, ages 19 to 24 years. Thursday, January 14 will focus on vaccinating this age group. Young adults have been hit extremely hard by 2009 H1N1 this year. Since many young adults are regularly around a large variety of people, whether it’s their families, workplace or classrooms, they are more likely to expose themselves and their loved ones to this virus. Vaccination is not only important for their health, but also for those around them.
Seniors
Older Americans are now recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. While older people are thought to be less likely to be infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus compared to younger persons, there have been severe infections and deaths from 2009 H1N1 in every age group, including people 65 and older. Friday, January 15, has been designated Seniors Vaccination Day, a reminder that older Americans should now seek 2009 H1N1 vaccine.
For more information about influenza and the importance of flu shots, visit www.healthyarkansas.com or call your local county health unit.
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