news release
ANDREW J. SPANO, Westchester County Executive JOSHUA LIPSMAN, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health SUSAN TOLCHIN, Director of Communications

CONTACT: SUSAN TOLCHIN (914) 995-2932

MARY LANDRIGAN (914) 813-5013

(914) 813-5000 (After Hours)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 24, 2003

IT’S TIME FOR THOSE FLU SHOTS AGAIN! THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES A NEW SEASON OF FLU-SHOT CLINICS

With the cold weather and flu season approaching, the Westchester County Department of Health will conduct low-cost clinics to provide residents with their flu shots. Pneumococcal vaccinations, which protect against pneumonia, will also be available at the clinics.

Flu clinics will be held at senior centers, town halls and various other community locations where residents may receive immunizations. For those covered by Medicare, the flu shots are free; otherwise there is a $12 fee for the flu shot. The pneumococcal vaccine is available for $20. Appointments are necessary. Clinics are provided with only enough vaccine for those who have made an appointment. For information on the most convenient location, time, and on how to schedule an appointment, residents should call the Health Department at (914) 813-5227.

"The flu season typically begins in October," said Joshua Lipsman, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health for Westchester County. “Getting your flu shot yearly is the best way to protect yourself from influenza for the whole season.”

Influenza is a highly contagious disease that infects 10 to 20 percent of the population in the United States each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 36,000 people die from influenza complications, with another 114,000 being hospitalized, each year. Most deaths are among those over 65 years of age, the very young, or those with other serious health conditions.

“It is important that high-risk individuals be vaccinated against flu and pneumonia,” said Dr. Lipsman. “The symptoms of influenza are much like those of a simple cold and, since people often do not go to the doctor

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for a cold, needed treatment may often be delayed, which can have serious consequences. Vaccination helps to prevent that situation from arising. While the flu vaccine must be given yearly, the pneumococcal vaccine is usually given only once.”

‘High-risk’ individuals who should receive influenza vaccine include anyone over 65 years of age and those of any age with chronic diseases, such as heart or lung diseases, diabetes, asthma, or compromised immune systems. The same high-risk individuals should receive a pneumonia vaccine at least once and should speak to their physician about the need for revaccination.

People who are otherwise healthy but who may transmit influenza to high-risk individuals should also be vaccinated. This includes healthcare workers both in institutional and home care settings, and people living in the same household as individuals at high risk for serious illness with influenza. In addition, any person who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza is encouraged to receive the vaccine.

Dr. Lipsman noted, however, that some groups should consult their private physician before getting any flu vaccinations. These include people who:

· are allergic to eggs;

· have a history of serious allergic condition or reaction to flu vaccine in the past (fever, rash, etc.);

· have had previous attacks of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a neurological illness following viral infections or other chronic neurological illnesses;

· are pregnant (it is currently recommended that women in their second and third trimesters get a flu shot);

· have an acute febrile illness.

For more information on influenza and flu-shot clinics, call the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000, or visit our website at www.westchestergov.com/health.

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