HEALTH PROVIDERS ENCOURAGED TO WORK TOGETHER DURING FLU VACCINE SHORTAGE

HEALTH PROVIDERS ENCOURAGED TO
WORK TOGETHER DURING FLU VACCINE SHORTAGE

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, is encouraging health care providers to work together to ensure that high-risk individuals get the flu shot.

“For most healthy people, influenza is uncomfortable but not a serious health threat,” Dr. Whitaker said. “But for some people, the flu could lead to serious complications or even death. Because of the currently limited vaccine supply, we need to work together to ensure the flu vaccine reaches those who are most at risk for complications.”

Local health departments are encouraged to reach out to their community partners and doctors’ offices to determine the availability of vaccine. Dr. Whitaker is also asking Illinois community groups and businesses that have purchased vaccine for low-risk individuals to defer these vaccinations and to notify their local health department about the supply. This will allow the local health departments to coordinate efforts to administer the flu vaccine to high-risk populations.

The Department is continuing to identify ways to protect as many high-risk Illinoisans as possible and will continue to consult with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure quick response to any new developments.

Health officials were notified Tuesday by Chiron Corp. that none of its influenza vaccine would be available for distribution this flu season. Chiron Corp. was to produce between 46 million to 48 million doses of influenza vaccine for the United States this flu season. It is anticipated that 54 million doses of influenza vaccine from Aventis and another 1.1 million of FluMist nasal spray will be available.

High-risk individuals are encouraged to check on vaccine availability with their health care provider and, if no vaccine is available, to contact their local health department.

“The bulk of the vaccine supply is in the hands of physicians and other private health care providers, so that’s the best place to start,” Dr. Whitaker said. “High-risk individuals need to be persistent in trying to find vaccine.”

Children ages 6 months to 23 months;
Persons 65 years of age and older;
Persons 2 to 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions;
Pregnant women;
Residents of long-term care facilities;
Children ages 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy;
Health care workers providing direct patient care; and
Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children younger than 6 months of age.

Dr. Whitaker also reminded healthy individuals of the importance of not getting a flu shot this year. “Healthy people should refrain from getting a shot so that it can go to someone who needs it more,” he said.

The influenza vaccine is 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing influenza among healthy adults 65 years of age or younger and those who do get ill will typically experience milder symptoms. People who are allergic to eggs, who have an acute illness with fever or who have previously had onset of Guillain-Barre syndrome during the six weeks after receiving influenza vaccine should check with their physician before getting the vaccine.

The flu season usually runs from November until April and often peaks between January and March. While October and November is the best time to be vaccinated, a flu shot can be given any time during the flu season.

Influenza, commonly called the flu, is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract and spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Flu symptoms include fever (usually 100 degrees F in adults and often higher in children), dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue.

After a person has been infected with the virus, symptoms usually appear within one to four days. The infection is considered contagious for up to five days after symptoms appear and illness usually lingers for a week or two. Each year, an estimated 10 percent to 20 percent of the population contracts influenza.

In addition to requesting the cooperation of the state's health care providers, Dr. Whitaker recommended that Illinoisans take an active role in preventing the flu by:

Washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Teaching children the same healthy habit.
Covering your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze, preferably with a facial tissue or your arm, not your hands. Promptly discarding used facial tissues.
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keeping your distance from others to protect them from getting sick.
Staying home from work or school until you recover.
Contacting your medical provider if you are experiencing severe symptoms that you believe require medical attention.
Not sharing things that go into the mouth, such as drinking cups, straws, etc.
Frequently cleaning commonly touched surfaces (door knobs, refrigerator handle, phone, water faucets) if someone in your house has a cold or the flu.
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

Those who develop flu-like symptoms should drink fluids, rest and stay home. Those who have the flu may also take over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen and Ibuprofen unless otherwise advised by their doctor. Aspirin should be avoided because taking it for some forms of flu has been associated with Reye’s syndrome, a serious disease in children that can occur following a viral illness and that causes swelling of the brain.

October 8, 2004

HEALTH PROVIDERS ENCOURAGED TO WORK TOGETHER DURING FLU VACCINE SHORTAGE SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, is encouraging health care providers to work together to ensure that high-risk individuals get the flu shot. “For most healthy people, influenza is uncomfortable but not a serious health threat,” Dr. Whitaker said. “But for some people, the flu could lead to serious complications or even death. Because of the currently limited vaccine supply, we need to work together to ensure the flu vaccine reaches those who are most at risk for complications.” Local health departments are encouraged to reach out to their community partners and doctors’ offices to determine the availability of vaccine. Dr. Whitaker is also asking Illinois community groups and businesses that have purchased vaccine for low-risk individuals to defer these vaccinations and to notify their local health department about the supply. This will allow the local health departments to coordinate efforts to administer the flu vaccine to high-risk populations. The Department is continuing to identify ways to protect as many high-risk Illinoisans as possible and will continue to consult with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure quick response to any new developments. Health officials were notified Tuesday by Chiron Corp. that none of its influenza vaccine would be available for distribution this flu season. Chiron Corp. was to produce between 46 million to 48 million doses of influenza vaccine for the United States this flu season. It is anticipated that 54 million doses of influenza vaccine from Aventis and another 1.1 million of FluMist nasal spray will be available. High-risk individuals are encouraged to check on vaccine availability with their health care provider and, if no vaccine is available, to contact their local health department. “The bulk of the vaccine supply is in the hands of physicians and other private health care providers, so that’s the best place to start,” Dr. Whitaker said. “High-risk individuals need to be persistent in trying to find vaccine.” Those considered to be at high risk for complications include: Children ages 6 months to 23 months; Persons 65 years of age and older; Persons 2 to 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions; Pregnant women; Residents of long-term care facilities; Children ages 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy; Health care workers providing direct patient care; and Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children younger than 6 months of age. Dr. Whitaker also reminded healthy individuals of the importance of not getting a flu shot this year. “Healthy people should refrain from getting a shot so that it can go to someone who needs it more,” he said. The influenza vaccine is 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing influenza among healthy adults 65 years of age or younger and those who do get ill will typically experience milder symptoms. People who are allergic to eggs, who have an acute illness with fever or who have previously had onset of Guillain-Barre syndrome during the six weeks after receiving influenza vaccine should check with their physician before getting the vaccine. The flu season usually runs from November until April and often peaks between January and March. While October and November is the best time to be vaccinated, a flu shot can be given any time during the flu season. Influenza, commonly called the flu, is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract and spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Flu symptoms include fever (usually 100 degrees F in adults and often higher in children), dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. After a person has been infected with the virus, symptoms usually appear within one to four days. The infection is considered contagious for up to five days after symptoms appear and illness usually lingers for a week or two. Each year, an estimated 10 percent to 20 percent of the population contracts influenza. In addition to requesting the cooperation of the state's health care providers, Dr. Whitaker recommended that Illinoisans take an active role in preventing the flu by: Washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Teaching children the same healthy habit. Covering your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze, preferably with a facial tissue or your arm, not your hands. Promptly discarding used facial tissues. Avoiding close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keeping your distance from others to protect them from getting sick. Staying home from work or school until you recover. Contacting your medical provider if you are experiencing severe symptoms that you believe require medical attention. Not sharing things that go into the mouth, such as drinking cups, straws, etc. Frequently cleaning commonly touched surfaces (door knobs, refrigerator handle, phone, water faucets) if someone in your house has a cold or the flu. Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth. Those who develop flu-like symptoms should drink fluids, rest and stay home. Those who have the flu may also take over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen and Ibuprofen unless otherwise advised by their doctor. Aspirin should be avoided because taking it for some forms of flu has been associated with Reye’s syndrome, a serious disease in children that can occur following a viral illness and that causes swelling of the brain.