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December 20, 2006
Little Rock --The Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health (DOH), reports that flu activity is on the rise in the state, and there is still flu vaccine available this year. Confirmed influenza type B has been reported in Garland, Union and Columbia Counties (5 laboratory-confirmed cases) and three laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza type A in Pulaski County. The actual numbers of influenza cases could be somewhat higher as influenza is randomly reported to the DOH by healthcare professionals. Also, four of our surrounding states now report increased flu activity. Arkansans are encouraged to call their local health unit to see about flu shot availability.
The flu season in Arkansas usually runs from mid-December to March. The flu shot cost $15.00 for anyone not enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid, or the Vaccines for Children Program (the shot is free for enrollees).
Dr. Paul Halverson, DOH director, said, “We would encourage all Arkansans to get a flu shot this year. Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. The single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated—either by the flu shot or by nasal spray.”
Flu vaccines are safe, effective and cannot cause the flu. Each year, 25 to 50 million people in the U.S. are infected with annual flu. Roughly 36,000 Americans die from complications of the flu; another 200,000 are hospitalized. The flu is serious business—translating into employee absences, lost productivity and bottom-line losses. Healthy workers who have been vaccinated have 43 percent fewer sick days than unvaccinated workers. Those most at risk for influenza disease complications are: those in nursing homes; individuals over 50 years of age; persons with chronic diseases of the heart, lung, and kidneys, or who have diabetes, asthma, immunosuppression, or severe forms of anemia; women who will be pregnant during flu season; children and teens on long-term aspirin therapy. Children 6-59 months of age, their family members and their out-of-home caregivers should receive the flu vaccine due to the increased probability of severe illness in this age group. Daycare situations make these children especially vulnerable.
Health care workers should also be vaccinated for influenza since they are at risk for passing influenza infection on to high-risk individuals. Remember once you get vaccinated, it takes your body about two weeks to makes protective antibodies.
For more information on seasonal influenza, click on http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ .
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