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December
21, 2004
Little Rock--Effective Monday, January 3, 2005, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) will expand those eligible to receive a flu vaccination to include caregivers and household contacts of persons in high-risk groups.
In October, based on a nationwide vaccine shortage, the ADH adopted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation to limit vaccinations to high-risk groups. Redefinition of eligibility is based on the availability of additional vaccine and the CDC’s amendment of its original recommendation.
Using vaccine provided through the ADH, approximately 191,500 adult members of high-risk groups have been vaccinated since November 3. An estimated 11,000 adult doses were available statewide as of Friday, December 17. The agency is in the process of redistributing existing vaccine to each county and is not expected to receive any additional vaccine this season.
“Even though flu activity has been sporadic so far this season, we strongly encourage high-risk Arkansans to get their flu shot,” Robert Alvey, ADH spokesperson, said. The flu season can last through April.
VFC Eligibility Also Expanded
Those now eligible to receive the vaccination also includes children and adolescents aged 2 through 18 years who qualify under the Vaccine for Children (VFC) Program and who are household contacts or out-of-home caregivers of persons in high-risk groups.
VFC helps families by providing free vaccines to doctors who serve eligible children and is administered at the national level by the CDC through the National Immunization Program.
Children Receiving Vaccine for First Time Need Second Shot
“We want to remind parents of young children that a second dose of influenza vaccine is needed for children (6 months to less than 9 years of age) who have never received the vaccine before this year,” Dr. Sandra Snow, ADH Medical Director of Communicable Diseases and Immunizations, said. “Immunization standards recommend that these children receive two doses of vaccine in order to be adequately protected from influenza infection and the second dose should be given at least one month after the first dose.”
High-risk children within those ages who have not yet received their first dose of influenza vaccine should be vaccinated as soon as possible. It is important that both doses of influenza vaccine be given before the start of influenza season in order for these children to have adequate protection.
High-risk groups for influenza include:
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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).
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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
Arkansans should contact their Local Health Unit to determine availability of the vaccine in their area.
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