|
October
26, 2004
Little Rock--The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has identified the site of each flu vaccination clinic in the state on November 3, 2004, for high-risk groups. It has started a statewide distribution of the 107,500 doses received this season.
Of the 107,500 total doses, approximately 58,860 are being divided among the counties based on population base and taking into consideration 10 counties with a greater number of persons 65 or older. The remaining doses were distributed to nursing homes.
(See the accompanying document or visit our website at www.healthyarkansas.com/flushots.htm for information on clinic sites and the number of doses allocated for each county.)
Clinics in each county will open at 8 a.m. and operate until all high-risk clients receive their shots or the vaccine runs out. There will be no early openings at any of the clinics. Persons qualified to receive the vaccine under Medicaid/Medicare must bring appropriate documentation to the clinic.
“As an Arkansan and a physician, I share the concern being expressed about the shortage of flu vaccine,” Dr. Fay Boozman, agency director, said. “I take comfort in knowing that we have wonderful people working on this problem at the agency and that Arkansans will rally to help reduce the spread of flu this season.”
ADH has a limited supply of flu vaccine because of the national vaccine shortage. Local health units will be giving flu shots to high-risk persons on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are not in a high-risk group, you will not be eligible to receive vaccine. People that are in high-risk groups who expect to receive a flu shot should wear short-sleeved clothing, so that it’s easy to reach the upper arm area.
High-risk groups 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).
Persons who should not receive influenza vaccine for health reasons include:
- Persons with a severe allergy (i.e., anaphylactic allergic reaction) to chicken eggs and
- Persons who previously had onset of Guillain-Barre syndrome during the six weeks after receiving influenza vaccine.
Everyone can help prevent the spread of influenza by taking action:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Whenever possible, stay home from work, school or errands when you
are sick
- Wash your hands with soap often
- Use a hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
- If you smoke, try to quit. You are more susceptible to upper-respiratory disease when you smoke.
If you’re sick, don’t spread your germs to others:
- Cover your mouth and nose with your hand, sleeve or a tissue every time you sneeze or cough
- Put used tissue into the trash
- Wash your hands with soap and water and use paper towels instead of cloth towels in your bathroom. Throw used paper towels into the trash.
- In the home, frequently clean surfaces that are touched often (phone, remote control, door knobs, etc.) with antibacterial soap or spray
- Stay home.
If you develop influenza, there are antiviral prescription medications on the market that can help lessen your flu symptoms. Consult your family doctor about receiving these medications.
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.
For the latest information on the flu vaccine, call the Arkansas Health Department HOTLINE at 800-651-3493 or log onto the website at www.healthyarkansas.com/flushots.htm.
###
|
