FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 2, 2006
DHEC flu vaccine clinics begin
COLUMBIA – As influenza season approaches, anyone who wants to be protected against influenza, especially South Carolinians with a higher risk for flu-related complications and those who live with or care for people at high risk are encouraged to get their flu vaccinations, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported today.
“The best way to reduce the effects of the flu virus is to take the flu vaccine,” said Dr. Jerry Gibson, director of DHEC’s Bureau of Disease Control. “The vaccine provides immunity not only to the person who receives it, but also to the community at large when more people are protected. We particularly want to urge people who are at the greatest risk from flu, or who care for those people, to make vaccination a priority.”
Dr. Gibson said influenza usually doesn’t peak until January or later and many people recommended to get the vaccine have not done so by the end of November. While getting vaccinated in October and November is best, vaccination in December and January will also protect against the flu.
“Another good way to reduce your risk of getting or transmitting the influenza virus is to wash your hands thoroughly and often,” Dr. Gibson said. “Others should stay away from those who show signs of illness such as coughing, to cover your own cough, use fresh tissues instead of handkerchiefs when you have a runny nose and dispose of used tissues right away. Staying home from work when illness strikes can keep colds and flu from spreading.”
Dr. Gibson said flu vaccine manufacturers are expected to produce more than 100 million doses of flu vaccine this year. This is at least 17 million more doses of flu vaccine than ever before.
DHEC's eight public health regions will be offering clinics across the state and a current list of those clinics will be posted to the Web and updated as changes are made.
Local flu shot clinic information is at The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence’s "Flu Clinic Finder" at www.thecarolinascenter.org/fcf or the American Lung Association Web site at www.lungusa.org.
There is a $25 charge for the vaccination, which Medicare and Medicaid will cover for those who are eligible. Medicare Advantage enrollees should contact their plans to learn whether a certain provider needs to provide the flu shot. Free flu vaccine is also provided to children and adolescents who are eligible through the DHEC Vaccine Assurance For All Children (VAFAC) Immunization Partnership in many doctors’ offices, community health centers and DHEC’s county public health departments around the state.
Based on information provided to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a significant amount of influenza vaccine should be available in physician’s offices and communities during October to allow vaccinations to begin. Early in the season, some providers may appear to have more influenza vaccine than others because there are many manufacturers, distributors and distribution channels with different distribution plans and schedules. Some providers may not have all of their vaccine until November or later, depending upon the manufacturer or distributor and when the vaccine was ordered.
“The majority of the flu vaccine available in our state will be through private providers such as doctor’s offices and other locations,” Dr. Gibson said. “DHEC has ordered about 275-thousand doses for our clinics and partner providers. While this represents an approximate 10 percent increase from last season, we make up only a small part of the total flu vaccinations given around the state.”
Dr. Gibson said the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended annual flu vaccinations for anyone with a higher risk for severe complications from influenza including:
- Children aged 6-59 months;
- Children and adolescents aged 6 months to18 years who receive long-term aspirin therapy and, therefore, might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection;
- Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
- Adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma (hypertension is not considered a high-risk condition);
- Adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases including diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies or immunodeficiency including immunodeficiency caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV);
- Adults and children who have conditions such as cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders or other neuromuscular disorders that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or could increase the risk for aspiration;
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities housing anyone who have chronic medical conditions; and
- Anyone 65 or older.
Vaccination with inactivated influenza vaccine also is recommended for those with a higher risk for influenza-associated clinic, emergency department or hospital visits, particularly if they have a high-risk medical condition:
- Persons 50-64 years.
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all health-care workers, employees of assisted living and other residences for persons at high risk, anyone who provides home care to people in groups at high risk along with household contacts, including children, of persons in groups at high risk.
Anyone interested in flu vaccination should contact their family doctor or any of DHEC’s 46 county public health departments for flu vaccination clinic times and locations. Visit http://www.scdhec.gov/flu/, or call DHEC’s Immunization Division at (803) 898-0460 (toll free 1-800-277-4687).
-###-
For further information:
Clair Boatwright – (803) 898-4461
E-mail – boatwrc@dhec.sc.gov
CBNR 1194