DHSS Press Release |
Date: October 10, 2003 DHSS-109-2003 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Karryl McManus, Deputy Secretary (302) 255-9047, Pager (302) 247-2116 |
Contact: Heidi Truschel-Light Phone: (302) 744-4907 Pager: (302) 247-1560 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOTE: This page is for informational purposes only and dated material (e.g. temporary websites) may not be available
FLU CLINICS SCHEDULED FOR DELAWAREANS AT RISK
Flu season has arrived and Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) reminds residents at high risk for influenza complications to get their annual vaccination. Dr. Maureen Dempsey, DPH director, will kick off Kent County's first public flu clinic Oct. 16 at 9:30 a.m., at the Modern Maturity Center, 1121 Forrest Ave., Dover.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that people older than age 50 receive an annual flu vaccination. In addition, the CDC also recommends annual flu vaccination to:
- Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities,
- Adults with chronic illness or compromised immune systems, and children older than six months,
- Adults and children who have required regular medical care in the past year,
- Women who will be in the second or third month of pregnancy during the flu season, and
- People who can transmit influenza to those at risk (such as health care workers, household contacts, employees of assisted living, etc.) Children aged six to 23 months should be immunized whenever possible.
Influenza - "the flu" - is a virus that causes respiratory illness and sickens thousands of people each year. People 65 years and older are particularly vulnerable to the complications of influenza infection, including pneumonia, bronchitis and sinus and ear infections. Pneumonia and influenza were the seventh leading cause of death in Delaware between 1999 and 2001, with 566 cases reported to DPH. The flu can also worsen pre-existing chronic health problems such as asthma.
Delaware's flu season typically begins in late October, peaks in January and ends in March. An influenza patient may experience fever, headache, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, and a sore throat, cough and nasal congestion. Occasionally, intestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain are present. This can lead to up to five days of missed work and, for severe cases, hospitalization.
Getting a flu shot now will provide valuable protection against contracting the flu. After receiving the shot, it takes 1-2 weeks to develop protection for the rest of the season.
More than 135 public flu clinics are scheduled statewide by DPH and Christiana Care Health Systems. The clinics run through Nov. 25. DPH bills Medicare and takes donations at its clinics, which are usually held at State Service Centers. Clinics operated by Christiana Care Health Systems charge a $20 fee and are held at community sites such as pharmacies. For more information about flu clinics, call DPH's immunization hotline at 1-800-282-8672 or visit its website: http://www.deph.org/immunizations/2003schedule.html.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
