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October
14, 2004
Little Rock -- Health Department officials indicate that they will have flu vaccine in limited supply for the 2004-05 flu season. The vaccine will be distributed to local health unit offices around the first week of November. When local health units have vaccine available for use, they will notify local media to
publicize dates and times when immunizations will be available.
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.
High-risk categories include:
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People 65 years of age and older
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Children ages 6 months to 23 months
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Adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic lung or heart disorders including heart disease and asthma
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Pregnant women
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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
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Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
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Children and teenagers, 6 months – 18 years of age, who take aspirin daily
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Health-care workers involved in direct, hands-on care to patients and
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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).
Persons who should not receive influenza vaccine for health reasons are:
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Persons with a severe allergy (i.e., anaphylactic allergic reaction) to hens’ eggs and
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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:
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Avoid close contact with people who are sick and keep your distance from others if you’re sick
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Whenever possible, stay home from work, school or errands when you are sick
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Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and
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Wash your hands with soap often.
For more information go to
www.CDC.gov and click on influenza.
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