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December - Influenza Immunization

Beverly Miller

Beverly Miller, MHA, MBA, Acting Area Director

Indian Health Service California Area Office

 

Influenza (“Flu”) Immunization

Although the Influenza season is well under way, this is an appropriate time to remind the members of your communities, including family, friends, and co-workers to get their Influenza vaccination and to catch up on other vaccinations as well. Centers for Disease Control Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice recommends an annual flu vaccination for all individuals six months of age and older, unless medically contraindicated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also suggests that the single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each fall. Good health habits and antiviral medications are other measures that can help protect against the flu. Studies show that Immunizations are the first line of defense against vaccine preventable disease and are important for children, adolescents, and adults.

Vaccine-preventable disease rates, including those for influenza, are lower than they have ever been; however in order to continue this pattern, healthcare providers must continue to educate their patients and provide immunizations as indicated by the recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control’s, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

The CDC recommends annual Flu vaccination for all health care providers (HCP), unless medically contraindicated, in order to reduce spread of disease between HCPs and patients and then into the local community. Health care providers are encouraged to promote annual influenza vaccination by educating patients and by choosing to get immunized annually against influenza as role models for prevention.

 What is Influenza (“Flu”)?
  • Influenza is a highly infectious viral illness.
  • 5-20% of the population get the flu
  • More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications
  • About 36,000 people die from flu-related causes
What are the symptoms of the “flu”?

The symptoms for flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, and chills.  If you have one of the following health conditions and you develop flu-like symptoms, seek medical care immediately:

  • Asthma
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Heart Disease
  • Kidney Disease

Most healthy people recover from the “flu” without problems, but the following persons are known to be at higher risk for developing complications from the flu:

  • Persons age 65 and older
  • Children younger than two years old
  • People of any age who have chronic medical conditions
What can you do to avoid getting the “flu”?

Ask your healthcare provider about getting a seasonal flu vaccination now!  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends seasonal “flu” vaccinations each year for all persons six months of age and older.

In addition to getting vaccinated, the following habits can help stop the spread of germs:

  • Stay home when you are sick                                                    
  • Wash your hands often
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

For additional information and resources, please visit:

http://www.FLU.gov  Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/nivw/2012-2013-nivw-update.pdf  Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov