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An
annual flu vaccine is recommended for all residents over age 50,
pregnant women ages 18 and older, people who live in nursing homes and
other long-term care facilities, children ages six months and up to age
19; those who are 18 years of age and older with chronic heart or lung
conditions, diabetes, or compromised immune systems; and caregivers
(including healthcare workers) of high-risk patients.
Senior citizens should also
receive Pneumococcal vaccine, which generally needs to be given only one time, to protect
themselves against the most common type of pneumonia.
For
the latest information about swine flu visit our
home page.
Certain individuals should consult their private
physician before getting any flu vaccinations. They include people who:
are allergic to eggs
have a history of serious allergic condition or
reaction to flu vaccine in the past (e.g.. fever, rash, etc.)
have had previous attacks of
Guillan-Barré Syndrome,
a neurological illness following viral infections or other chronic neurological illnesses;
are pregnant; generally, it is recommended that women
in their second and third trimesters get a flu shot
have an acute febrile illness.
Pneumococcal vaccine protects against
Pneumococcal pneumonia, the most common cause of pneumonia in adults. By receiving
Pneumococcal vaccine just one time, high risk individuals can usually protect themselves
against illness and possibly death from this disease.
The
Health Department continues to advise residents to adhere to
general good health habits to help prevent contracting and
spreading the flu. To help prevent the spread and
contraction of the flu, please follow the "Four
C's"
explained below.
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.
Contain
If
you are sick, stay home from work, school and public
areas. By doing so, you will help prevent others from
getting sick.
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.
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.
