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October
29, 2004
Little Rock--The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is providing a checklist for individuals who plan to seek flu shots at county health clinic sites across the state on November 3rd. Individuals should first determine whether they are in one of the high-risk categories. If you are not in a high-risk group, you will NOT be eligible to receive vaccine. The checklist items follow:
- 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 or other long-term care facilities; children and teenagers, 6 months to 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-town 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 the vaccine.
- Flu clinic sites are planned for each of the counties. Check the Health Department website at www.healthyarkansas.com/flushots.htm, your local newspaper, your local radio station, Department of Health HOTLINE at 800-651-3493 or call your local health unit for clinic sites nearest you.
- There will be no early openings at flu clinic sites. Scheduled opening time is 8:00 A.M.
- The flu shot will cost $15.00 for anyone not enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid or the Vaccines for Children program.
- If you are in a high risk group and expect to receive a flu shot, wear short sleeved clothing, so it’s easy to reach the upper arm area.
- If you are unable to stand in line, a member of your family or friend can stand in line for you.
- Everyone can help prevent the spread of influenza by doing the following: avoiding 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 and if you smoke, try to quit. You are more susceptible to upper respiratory disease when you smoke.
- If you are 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 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 and stay home if you are ill.
- If you develop influenza, there are antiviral prescription medications on the market that can help lessen your flu symptoms. Consult your family doctor about these medications.
For more information call the Health Department HOTLINE at 800-651-3493. The HOTLINE will operate next week on Monday (November 1st) and Tuesday (November 2nd). The hours of operation will be 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The HOTLINE is closed this weekend (October 30th and 31st).
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