For Immediate Release:

September 29, 2003

Contact:

Sue Denny

Section for Communicable Disease Prevention

573-751-6439

Flu Vaccine Plentiful This Season

Now that fall is here, many people should begin to get flu shots. “Flu vaccine will be plentiful this season. Everyone who wants to get a flu shot to avoid influenza, regardless of age or health status, should be able to be vaccinated as soon as vaccine becomes available in October,” according to Bryant McNally, director of the Division of Environmental Health and Communicable Disease Prevention at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

It is especially important to get the flu shot as soon as possible if you:

• are 65 years or older
• are more than 12 weeks pregnant during flu season (November-April)
• are a child or adult with a health problem such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, or other lung disease
• suffer from a long-term illness that keeps you from fighting infections, such as cancer or HIV/AIDS
• are a health care worker.

The same high-risk people should also receive a pneumococcal vaccine, which can be given at the same time as the flu shot. Pneumococcal pneumonia is a frequent complication of influenza for high-risk people. Generally, a one-time shot is all that is needed for protection. Individuals should talk to their health-care providers about getting pneumococcal vaccine.

Children six to 23 months old, their household contacts, and out-of-home caregivers are also encouraged to be vaccinated against influenza. Because infants and toddlers are at risk for complications from the flu, such as pneumonia, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) expanded their guidance to include this vaccine.

The flu vaccine is available through the Vaccines for Children program with providers located throughout the state. As with any immunization, parents of infants and toddlers are encouraged to check with their pediatricians, family physicians and local health departments for guidance on receiving the flu shot.

If individuals do not have an opportunity to get the flu vaccine in October or November, they should still get it in December or even January according to McNally. People usually develop immunity to the disease about two weeks after receiving the immunization.

“Influenza season usually does not peak until well into December in Missouri, so people will still be protected from the flu,” said McNally.

For more information contact your physician, your local health department, or the immunization program at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at 573-751-6439.

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