|
|
news release |
|
ANDREW J. SPANO, Westchester County Executive JOSHUA LIPSMAN, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health SUSAN TOLCHIN, Director
of Communications |
|
CONTACT:
MARY LANDRIGAN
(HEALTH
PIO) (914) 813-5000 (After Hours)
The Westchester County Department of Health announced today that it will be suspending all of its remaining flu clinics scheduled for October 25th and beyond. At this point in time, there is no specific date to resume these clinics. Individuals scheduled for the clinics will be notified of their clinic’s suspension.
“At this time, given the uncertainty surrounding the nation’s vaccine supply and pending guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the State Health Department regarding flu vaccine reallocation, suspending our community clinics is the most prudent thing to do,” stated Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Joshua Lipsman. “If the Health Department is able to secure additional vaccine, we will resume our flu clinics at that time,” he added.
The Westchester County Department of Health is continuing to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Health Department to determine the best method of distribution for the existing national supply of flu vaccine. The goal is to ensure that all those who fall into the high-risk categories for complications from the flu are able to receive the vaccine. “Presently, it’s still early in terms of the traditional flu season and, as of now, there have been no reported cases of flu in Westchester County this year,” noted Dr. Lipsman.
The Westchester County Department of Health continues to advise residents to adhere to general good health habits to help prevent contracting and spreading the flu. The behavioral components to help prevent the spread and contraction of the flu can be summarized in “Four C’s”:
1.
Contact: Avoid
close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance
from
others to prevent them from getting sick. Equally important is avoiding contact with your eyes, nose and mouth since the virus spreads by entering the mucous membranes in these areas.
MORE
Page 2. Flu Vaccine Clinics Suspended
2.
Contain: If you
are sick, stay home from work, school and public areas. By doing so, you will
help to prevent others from getting sick.
3.
Cover: Cover
your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough to protect others
from getting sick. Since you may be contagious even before you realize you are
sick, it is important to make this habit routine.
4.
Clean: Clean
your hands in hot soapy water often. Hand washing is one of the most effective,
yet overlooked ways of preventing the spread of illness.
All the steps are simple and effective, but hand washing is of utmost importance. The Westchester
County Department of Health spread the word about the effectiveness of hand washing last summer through its W.A.S.H. Up Westchester Campaign. “In an age where we are constantly making advances in technology and new treatments, we have to remember the basics in infection control…wash your hands!” Dr. Lipsman said.
The correct way
to wash your hands is as follows:
1) First wet your hands and apply liquid or clean bar soap. Keep the bar soap on a rack that allows it to drain.
2) Next rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces.
3) Continue for 20 seconds. Tell kids to wash as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. It is soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps dislodge and remove germs.
4) Rinse well and dry your hands.
For updated information on flu clinics, call the Westchester County Department of Health’s Public Health Information Line at (914) 813-5609 or visit www.westchestergov.com/health.
-30-