Wednesday, January 28, 2004

More flu vaccine available

Public Health District Four has received 830 doses of flu vaccine, and is shipping them out to local health departments. Flu vaccine was available in local health departments in Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson counties as of last Thursday.

“Those individuals that are interested in avoiding the flu for clear medical risks, exposure risks or both, would be well advised to obtain the vaccine,” said District Four Medical Director Dr. Michael Brackett. “It is likely that flu will continue to be a significant local problem in the near future."

Continued widespread influenza activity has been reported in Georgia in recent weeks.

This vaccine was purchased by the Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccine is for people ages 4 and older, and is recommended for people in the following high-risk categories:

· Adults over the age of 65.

· People suffering from chronic health conditions (cancer,

diabetes, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, etc.).

· Pregnant women in the second or third trimester.

· Residents of long-term care facilities.

The vaccine will cost no more than $15. It will be available across the state, but supplies are very limited. Some local health departments already have a waiting list of people needing the vaccine, and there may be enough people on those waiting lists to use this supply.

FluMist, the nasal spray flu vaccine, may also be available in some areas. Contact your local health department for information.

For a daily update on your county’s vaccine availability, visit www.health.state.ga.us.