State’s Top Doc Gives Head Principal and Disaster Director Seasonal Flu Shots

All Illinoisans share the responsibility of reducing illness due to flu  

QUINCY, Ill. – In his tour of communities throughout the state, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold, along with Adams County Health Department Administrator Nancy Bluhm, encouraged Illinoisans to get a seasonal flu shot. At the event, Dr. Arnold gave Quincy Public Schools Superintendent Lonny Lemon and Adams County Emergency Services Director John Simon a seasonal flu shot and urged people to follow the 3 C’s – Clean, Cover, Contain. This fall’s flu season is expected to be worse than previous flu seasons because the new H1N1 flu strain will be circulating at the same time as the seasonal flu. The single best way for a person to protect themselves and their loved ones against the flu is to get vaccinated.

“With increased flu activity due to the addition of the new H1N1 virus, it is more important than ever to get a seasonal flu shot this year,” Dr. Arnold said. “It is also extremely important for everyone to make sure they practice good health hygiene and cough etiquette by following the 3 Cs - Clean – wash your hands frequently and properly to prevent the spread of germs; Cover – your cough and sneeze with a tissue or sleeve – not your hand; and Contain – contain your germs by staying home when you are sick.”

Each year an estimated five to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu. Approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized with complications from the flu and about 36,000 die annually. Flu symptoms include a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above, headache, body aches, exhaustion, chills and weakness.

“Dr. Arnold's visit to Quincy provides the local health care community with the opportunity to unite and encourage our citizens to receive a seasonal flu shot,” said Bluhm. “We are not concerned about where a person presents for a seasonal flu shot, only that our community receives protection for seasonal flu.  We are happy to host this very important event.”

“With the great concern worldwide about the new H1N1 and flu in general, I believe we will see an increase in the number of people of all ages receiving the vaccinations,” Lemon said. “As a district of more than 7,200 students, the more people we have protected, the less time away from class and work our staff and students will miss. This can only be a ‘win-win’ for the education our students will receive.”

The flu is spread through coughing or sneezing. People can also get the flu by touching objects carrying the virus, such as telephones and door knobs, and then touching their mouth or nose.

Young children, people with chronic medical conditions and elderly people are at higher risk of complications from seasonal flu and it is critical they get a seasonal flu shot. However, with the new H1N1 flu circulating simultaneously, Dr. Arnold is encouraging all Illinoisans, except those with contraindications, to get a seasonal flu shot this year. The more people who receive a seasonal flu vaccine, the better chance there is to reduce the number of people who become ill and overwhelm our health care systems.

A person does not contract the flu from getting a flu shot. Some people may experience a mild fever, body aches and fatigue for a few days after being vaccinated, and soreness at the injection site. However, this is not because the person has the contracted the flu from the shot.

The seasonal flu shot does not protect against the new H1N1 flu. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is finalizing development of a vaccine for the new H1N1 flu, which is separate from the seasonal flu vaccine. Initial shipments of the new H1N1 vaccine are expected to be available in mid-October. The new H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine – it is intended to be used in addition to seasonal flu vaccine.

For more information log onto www.ready.illinois.gov and www.flu.gov.