Press Release
SEPTEMBER 12th, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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CONTACT: TIM O’CONNOR
PHONE:561-355-3576
FAX:561- 355-3035
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WEST PALM BEACH– In
preparation of the 2005 flu
season, Health Department
officials urge Floridians,
especially those 65 years of
age and older, to make an
appointment with their
primary health care provider
to receive a flu vaccine.
Since flu season can begin
as early as October, it is
best to schedule an
appointment now to ensure
you are vaccinated later in
the year.
“The best protection against flu is to get vaccinated every
year. I strongly encourage
all residents to call their
doctors now to schedule a
flu shot for October and
November,” Health Department
Director, Jean Malecki,
M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.P.M.,
said. “Getting vaccinated
not only helps protect you
from getting sick with the
flu but it also helps
protect others.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), influenza-related
deaths average 36,000 per
year, mostly among the
elderly. Influenza results
in about 200,000
hospitalizations per year.
Prioritization of influenza vaccine has been implemented to
ensure that enough vaccine
is available for those at
the highest risk for
complications from
influenza. CDC recommends
that the following priority
groups receive trivalent
inactivated influenza
vaccine (TIV) prior to the
end of October whenever
possible:
-
persons aged 65 years and
older with chronic medical
conditions
-
residents of long-term
care facilities
-
persons aged two-64 years
with chronic medical
conditions
-
children aged six-23
months
-
pregnant women
-
health care personnel who
provide direct patient care
-
household contacts and
out-of-home caregivers of
persons in high risk population
The majority of flu vaccine was administered through private
physicians, clinics,
hospitals, long-term care
facilities, community-based
clinics and other public
venues. DOH estimates that
it facilitated the
distribution of almost 2.67
million doses of flu vaccine
in Florida over the
2004-2005 flu season.
Since prevention is the key to reduce the probability of
contracting flu, here are
practical steps to stop the
spread of flu:
-
Clean hands often with
soap and water or an
alcohol-based hand cleanser.
-
Avoid touching your
eyes, nose or mouth.
-
Stay home when you are
sick and keep sick
children home.
-
Avoid close contact with
people who are ill, if
possible.
-
Do not share eating
utensils, drinking
glasses, towels or other
personal items.
-
Cover your nose and
mouth with a tissue when
you cough or sneeze.
For information about how to
schedule a flu vaccination,
contact your private
physician or personal health
care provider. For more
information on Flu and Flu
vaccination, visit the
DOH
Web site.
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