Influenza has Arrived in Central Ohio – Get a Flu Shot Now -- 10.15.2015
Columbus
Public Health – Press Release
October
15, 2015
Contact:
Jose Rodríguez
(614) 604-5025
[email protected]
Influenza
has Arrived in Central Ohio – Get a Flu Shot Now
FluMist
Supplies are Limited so Get a Flu Shot instead of Waiting
Flu is
already circulating in central Ohio – and now is the time to get a flu shot.
Evidence from both lab data, as well as hospitalizations indicates that
residents are already being affected by flu.
“Early
data shows that influenza is already in central Ohio, so it’s important to
protect yourself and your loved ones as soon as possible,” says Columbus Public
Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long. “FluMist is delayed and may be in short
supply which is a challenge because many young people have become accustomed to
getting it instead of a shot. But, it’s very important to go ahead and get a
flu shot now instead of waiting.”
Residents
should get any formulation of the flu vaccine that is available. Both the
injectable and FluMist are highly effective, and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) does not advise the preference of one over the
other.
FluMist
supplies are limited in central Ohio. The manufacturer has only been able to
deliver 30 percent of the overall order to both private and public providers.
It estimates supplies to be at about 60 percent by the end of the year. As a
result, some facilities will have very limited supplies and some may not have
any FluMist at all.
The
CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine every
year. It is especially important for people who are at high risk of serious
complications, including pregnant women, children younger than 5, people older
than 65, and anyone with asthma, diabetes, lung disease and other chronic
conditions, as well as their household contacts and caregivers.
In
addition to offering the flu vaccine, Columbus Public Health (CPH) also has
begun its yearly influenza surveillance. CPH tracks pneumonia and influenza
deaths in Franklin County, the number of students absent from Columbus City
Schools, influenza-like illnesses at emergency departments; pediatric urgent
care visits, over-the-counter medication sales and hospitalizations. The
information is used to track patterns of illness and to determine outbreaks in
order to protect the public’s health.
Beginning
next week, CPH’s weekly influenza surveillance reports will be available at: https://www.columbus.gov.
For more information about flu vaccines or influenza,
visit Columbus Public Health at publichealth.columbus.gov or flu.gov.
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