ServiceLink of Belknap County
Monday, October 5, 2009
67 Water Street, Suite 105 Laconia, NH 03246
Call 528-6945 or toll free at 1-866-634-9412
ServiceLink is sponsored by the Lakes Region Partnership for Public Health, many other community agencies, and citizens of Belknap County, and is funded through a grant by the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services.
Dear Lisa,
My friends have started to talk about getting their flu shot this year. I have never had a flu shot before, a little needle shy. How important is it that I get one?
Josey
Dear Josey,
Getting an annual seasonal flu shot is very important and here's why:
1. Prevents influenza related death.
2. Prevents severe illness.
3. Protects other people.
You should get vaccinated if you live with or care for others who are at high risk of complications from the flu. Getting a flu vaccination yourself can help protect your family members including seniors and young children.
Josey, here are some facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
· In the U.S., yearly outbreaks of seasonal flu usually happen during the fall through early spring,
· 5 percent-20 percent of the population gets the flu,
· More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and
· About 36,000 people die from flu related causes.
People who should get the seasonal vaccine each year are:
i. Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
ii. Pregnant women
iii. People 50 years of age and older
iv. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
v. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
vi. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
1. Health care workers
2. Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
3. Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Symptoms of the flu include: fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults.
Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with the flu. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May.
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get a flu vaccination each year!
In addition to seasonal flu, I would like to give you some information about H1N1 or Swine Flu. This type of flu is different from seasonal flu. The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect you from H1N1. A vaccine for H1N1 will be available in the next few months. Like seasonal flu vaccine, this vaccine will be voluntary. Information about where you can get your H1N1 vaccine will be well publicized when the vaccine becomes available in our region.
In addition to getting vaccinated for seasonal flu or H1N1, it is important to take these everyday steps to protect your health:
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· Stay home if you are sick and stay home until you have been symptom free for 24 hours.
I will provide more details about H1N1 in an upcoming article, stay tuned!
So now that the CDC has helped me to stress the importance of getting a flu vaccine, I bet you would like to know where you can get a flu shot.
· LRGH Emergency Department Fast Track and FRH at their FIT department have flu shots available beginning in October.
· Contact your primary care provider to see if they are giving flu shots to their patients. Large primary care practices may even sponsor a clinic for their patients. Call your provider for more information.
· Contact your area home health agency. Many of the agencies are providing flu shots by appointment only or are having public clinics.
· Area pharmacies may be providing flu shots by appointment only or through public clinics. Be prepared for long lines and long waits.
Many of these organizations will bill Medicare. Some will bill other insurance carriers as well. Some organizations will require payment when you receive your vaccine. Costs can range from $20-$50.
For more information visit www.cdc.gov or www.dhhs.nh.gov. If you want more information on where to get your flu shot, call ServiceLink at 528-6945 or toll free at 1-866-634-9412.
