June 2009

STATE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER ANNOUNCES THAT ALL
CALIFORNIANS ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR THE FLU SHOTS
 

SACRAMENTO- Encouraging Californians to get a flu shot now, State Public Health Officer Dr. Richard Joseph Jackson today announced that California has lifted previous restrictions on flu vaccine and all Californians are now eligible.

"While it is important to first vaccinate high-risk individuals, healthcare providers should take advantage of the opportunity to order more flu vaccine and vaccinate all who are interested," Jackson said. "It is not too late to get the flu shot. Flu season has not yet reached its peak in California and there is still plenty of time to get vaccinated and protect yourself from influenza."

The California Department of Health Services ( CDHS ) has been working with local health departments, healthcare providers and federal agencies to ensure that those who are in greatest need are able to receive flu vaccine. As a result of efforts to obtain more vaccine, more than 400,000 doses of adult vaccine and 265,000 doses of pediatric vaccine are available for health care providers to order.

"A limited supply of influenza vaccine early in the flu season prevented many individuals form obtaining a flu shot," Jackson said. "I encourage those individuals to contact their health care provider and inquire about getting a flu shot."

A Public Health Order issued by Jackson in October directed health care providers to reserve flu vaccine for seniors and other priority groups because of a nationwide shortage of the vaccine. In December, Jackson amended the order to include adults ages 50 and older, emergency service workers and those who have regular contact with persons at high risk for serious complications for the flu. The order was rescinded today.

CDHS is working with the California Medical Association and other organizations to relay the message that vaccine is ready to order. "It is extremely important for people to be vaccinated even at this time of the year because the flu season usually peaks in January through mid-March," said Dr. Ronald Bangasser, past president of the California Medical Association. "The opportunity to have vaccine available gives physicians the chance to reduce the risk of a bad flu season. It allows us to prevent sickness, hospitalization, and complications that could lead to death among or most high-risk patients."

FluMist brand influenza vaccine is also available to healthy Californians ages 5 through 49 from local pharmacies and some healthcare providers. Consumers seeking to know which pharmacies are carrying FluMist may call 1-866-592-4381 from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. After locating a pharmacy with FluMist, consumers should always phone first to ensure that FluMist is available and ask if an appointment is needed to obtain the vaccine.

In addition, Jackson encouraged all Californians to take the following steps to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Properly dispose of used tissues.

• Wash your hands with soap and warm water or a hand sanitizer to help protect yourself form germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Stay healthy by eating nutritious foods, drinking plenty of water, exercising, getting plenty of rest and not smoking.

• Stay home when you are sick to avoid infecting your co-workers and friends.

For more information about influenza and the influenza vaccine, please visit the CDHS Web site at
http://www.dhs.ca.gov/.

Influenza: The Disease

Influenza Viruses
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza virus. It attacks the respiratory tract in humans ( nose, throat, and lungs ). The flu is different from a cold. Influenza usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms:

• Fever
• Headache
• Tiredness ( can be extreme )
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Body aches

These symptoms are usually referred to as "flu-like symptoms."

Anyone Can Get the Flu, But the disease Is More Severe for Some People
Most people who get influenza will recover in one to two weeks, but some people will develop life threatening complications ( such as pneumonia ) as a result of the flu. Millions of people in the United States - about 10% to 20% of U.S. resident- will get influenza each year. An average of about 36,000 people per year in the United States die from influenza, and 114,000  per year have to be admitted to the hospital as a result of influenza. Pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections are three examples of complications from  flu.

Spread Of The Flu
The main way that influenza viruses are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. (This is called "droplet spread.") This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled (generally up to 3 feet) through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Though much less frequent, the viruses also can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone else's mouth or nose) before washing their hands.

What You Should Do If You Get The Flu

• Rest
• Drink plenty of liquids
• Avoid using alcohol and tobacco
• Take medication to relieve the symptoms of the flu

Influenza is caused by a virus, so antibiotics ( like penicillin ) don't work to cure it. The best way to prevent the flu is to get an influenza vaccine ( flu shot ) each fall, before flu season.

Do Not Give Aspirin To A Child or Teenager Who Has The Flu
Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms- and particularly fever without first speaking to your doctor. Giving aspirin to children and teenagers who have influenza can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome. Children or teenagers with the flu should get plenty of rest, drink lots of liquids, and take medicines that contain no aspirin to relieve symptoms, and remain home until symptom free for 24 hours.

Preventing Spread of the Flu in Schools
While vaccination against the flu each fall remains the primary way to prevent this disease, other measures that may help prevent flu in schools include:

      Remind students and staff to clean their hands, and make sure they have the supplies to do so.

• Frequent hand washing with soap and water will help protect students and staff from viruses. Wash hands for 15-20 seconds (long enough to sing the " Happy Birthday" song twice.) Alcohol-based hand rubs may be used as an alternative. Students and staff should be advised to rub their hands thoroughly until dry. Work with your school's janitorial staff to ensure that restrooms are stocked with soap and paper towels or working hand dryers. Work with teachers to have a supply of alcohol-based hand -rub in each classroom.

    Remind students and staff to cover noses and mouths when coughing or sneezing, and have  tissues readily available.

• Advise students and staff to cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and to dispose of used tissues in appropriate waste receptacles. Make sure that tissues are available in all classrooms and common areas, such as libraries or lunchrooms. If hands become contaminated with respiratory secretions while coughing or sneezing, perform hand hygiene as soon as possible.

Encourage sick students to stay home.

• Sick students and staff should stay home from school until they have been without fever for 24 hours to help prevent spreading illness to others.

Work closely with your local health department if making plans regarding school closure.

• Any decisions about closing a school due to increased flu activity should be made in consultation with local and state health departments. It is unknown whether school closings are beneficial in controlling the spread of flu.

Resources
following are resources for information about preventing the spread of flu in school:

• CDC has prepared a poster for schools that illustrates the message: "Be a Germ Stopper." This is available at www.cdc.gov/germstopper.
• It's a snap ( www.itsasnap.org/index.asp ) offers free educational program materials about making hand cleaning an integral part of the school day.
• Local and state health departments
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention " About the Flu: Questions & Answers"
• The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools " School Health Issues: Flu Season and Schools"

For continued updates and further information check the Centers for Communicable Disease website at: www.cdc.gov