FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 17, 2006
DHEC flu vaccine update
COLUMBIA – South Carolinians who would like to reduce the risk of flu and its complications are encouraged to get their flu vaccinations, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported today.
“The flu vaccine supply this year has been the largest ever produced, by far,” said Jesse Greene, R.N., director of DHEC’s Immunization Division. “While the manufacturing of flu vaccine is a long process because the vaccine is produced and distributed in phases, DHEC has now received most of the vaccine we have ordered.”
“DHEC provides only about 17 percent of the flu vaccine in the state,” Greene said. “While we are clearly not the only provider, we welcome anyone who would like to get a shot to one of the many scheduled flu clinics DHEC county public health departments hold across the state. There are many opportunities to get the protection the vaccine offers from one of DHEC’s flu shot clinics.”
According to Greene, as of Nov. 14th, almost one million doses of flu vaccine had been distributed to medical providers in S.C., compared to a total of 805,000 doses distributed during the entire Oct. 2005 through March 2006 flu season.
“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,” 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.”
Dr. Gibson said influenza usually doesn’t peak until January or later and many people recommended to get the vaccine have not yet done so. So far, there have been no confirmed cases of influenza this flu season.
“While getting vaccinated in early is best, vaccination in December and January will also protect against the flu,” Gibson said. “To get the word out that it is never too late to get a flu shot, the national Centers for Disease Control are campaigning to raise awareness of that fact during its National Influenza Immunization Week, following Thanksgiving.”
The CDC reported flu vaccine manufacturers are expected to produce more than 115 million doses of flu vaccine this year. That is about 35 million more doses of flu vaccine than ever before and much of it will be available in late November and December.
Local flu shot clinic information, for both DHEC and non-DHEC clinics is at The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence’s "Flu Clinic Finder" at http://www.thecarolinascenter.org/fcf. DHEC clinics are listed separately at http://www.scdhec.gov/health/disease/immunization/links.htm.
Prices can vary at non-DHEC-sponsored clinics. There is a $25 charge for a vaccination at DHEC clinics, 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.
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For further information:
Clair Boatwright – (803) 898-4461
E-mail – boatwrc@dhec.sc.gov
CBNR 1219