Influenza Vaccine Available Soon
The peak influenza (flu) season is rapidly approaching and it is time to
launch the flu vaccine campaign in Genesee County. Receiving the flu vaccine is
the best tool to prevent severe illness and death related to influenza among the
elderly and chronically ill in the United States. Influenza disease peaks
between January and March; indicating vaccination throughout November, December,
and even later is effective.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following groups
receive the flu vaccine: all persons 50 years of age or older, persons greater
than 6 months of age with chronic illness, employees and residents of long-term
care facilities, pregnant women, persons 6 months to 18 years receiving chronic
aspirin therapy, health care providers (including home care), and household
members of high-risk persons. The Genesee County
Health Department is encouraging healthy people to wait until later in the
flu season to receive the vaccine. This is to insure that those at highest risk
of influenza complications are vaccinated first.
Like last year, vaccine shipments are delayed due to production problems. The
Genesee County Health Department will have the vaccine available in late
October, or early November. The Health Department will keep the public updated
on the schedule of flu clinics as they are determined. Despite delays, the
outlook is improved in comparison to last year’s flu season. Officials
emphasize that flu vaccinations given later in the flu season can be effective
in protecting people from serious complications related to influenza illness.
The flu has been estimated to infect as many as 100 million people each year
in the Northern Hemisphere. While most healthy people fully recover from the
flu, the disease can result in hospitalization or even death.
Influenza, or flu, is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract and
generally results in more severe illness than other respiratory infections.
Severe flu epidemics in the United States have cost as much as $10 billion,causing as many as 40,000 deaths and 150,000 hospitalizations.
There will be a $15.00 charge for the flu vaccine at the Genesee County
Health Department clinics. Pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine will also be
available for $25.00. Watch the Flint Journal for updates on the clinic
schedule.
For further information regarding the influenza vaccine, please contact
Marilyn Legacy, BSN, Immunization Supervisor, at the Genesee County Health
Department, (810) 257-3634. Reduces risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It can energize, reduce
stress and assist in weight loss. Walking is a good way to start. It is low
impact, social and fun. Members of walking clubs make a commitment to walk three
times per week for ten weeks. For more information, or if you would be
interested in joining or starting a club, call Dianna LaBonte, BSN, at the
Genesee County Health Department at (810) 785-5279. Just a bit, can get you fit,
too!
For
more information on flu shots visit our A-Z Health
Topics page.
Contact Person: Marilyn Legacy, BSN, MSA, Immunization
Supervisor
Genesee County Health Department
Phone: (810) 257-3634
RE: Influenza Vaccine
