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Further data also confirms that the predominant
flu strain people are infected with is type A, H3N2, which is
associated with more severe symptoms and a higher mortality rate,
especially in young children and seniors.
While the current flu vaccine may not guarantee a person full
protection from this strain, the vaccine can significantly reduce
the chances of severe symptoms and one’s ability to pass the virus
to other individuals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that
25,000 people in the United States die each year from influenza, and
966,000 medical visits and 67,000 hospitalizations were prevented
last year by the vaccine.
While everyone six months of age or older should get a flu vaccine
as recommended by the CDC, it is especially important for certain
groups at higher risk of medical complications from the flu to get
vaccinated for their own safety, including:
-
Children aged six months through four years of age
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Pregnant women
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Adults 50 years of age or older
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People who are immunosuppressed
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People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions,
including asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or chronic lung
disease
People who live with or care for those at high
risk of flu complications should also be vaccinated including:
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Health care workers
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Household contacts of persons at high risk of complications from
the flu
-
Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children
younger than six months of age (these children are too young to
be vaccinated and are at risk to become infected)
Influenza can be a serious disease of the lungs,
nose, and throat. The illness is spread from person to person
through contact with infected respiratory secretions transmitted by
coughing and sneezing. Typical flu symptoms include fever, headache,
extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and
muscle aches. People experiencing these symptoms should see their
doctor.
The LCDPH would like to remind everyone to get vaccinated if you
have not done so already. Flu vaccinations are available at the
Logan County Department of Public Health, located at 109 Third
Street, Lincoln. The department hours of operation are Monday
through Thursday from 7:30am to 4:30pm, and Friday from 7:30am until
noon. Please note that the walk-in immunization clinic hours of
operation are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.,
and Friday 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
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For your convenience, the department now accepts all
major insurance cards. If you have questions, please contact the
Logan County Department of Public Health at 217-735-2317. For more
information regarding services offered at the department, you can
also log onto their website at WWW.LCDPH.ORG.
[Logan County Department of
Public Health/LDN]
Information Source: CDC
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