FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2005
CONTACT: Stephanie Garrity, Deputy Health Officer, 410-996-5115 or
Health Department Announces Expansion of Flu Vaccine Availability
January 20, 2005 –As a result of revised recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Cecil County Health Department is expanding flu vaccine availability to additional high-risk groups: people age 50 to 64 years; and people who provide home care to individuals in high-risk groups, household members (including children) of individuals in high-risk groups, and household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children up to 23 months of age.
The Health Department, located at 401 Bow Street, Elkton, will administer flu vaccine on a ‘walk-in’ basis Mondays through Fridays from 8am to 11am. A $10 fee will be charged. No one will be refused flu vaccine because of inability to pay.
People in the following high-risk groups can still receive flu vaccine:
q All children between the ages of 6 to 23 months;
q Adults 65 years of age or older;
q Persons with a long-term health problem such as: heart disease, lung diseases like asthma, kidney disease, metabolic diseases like diabetes, or a weakened immune system caused, for example, by cancer or cancer treatment or HIV/AIDS;
q All women who will be pregnant during the flu season (October 2004 to March 2005);
q Health care workers involved in direct face-to-face patient care who are not eligible for FluMist;
q Children aged six months to 18 years of age on chronic aspirin therapy;
q Residents of nursing homes and long term care facilities; and
q Out-of-home caregivers and people who live with children younger than six months of age.
If you are not a member of a high-risk group, please do not get a flu shot this season.
The Health Department is also administering FluMist, the nasal flu vaccine for healthy people ages 5-49, by appointment only. Those who are healthy and ages 5-49 are encouraged to get FluMist. A $27 fee will be charged at the time of the appointment. No one will be refused vaccine because of inability to pay. Please call 410-996-5100 to schedule an appointment.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2005
CONTACT: Stephanie Garrity, Deputy Health Officer, 410-996-5115 or
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Flu activity has been reported in Cecil County. Even if you are not immunized against the flu, you can help prevent the spread of the flu by practicing the following measures.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Wash your hands right afterward. This may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
High-risk patients should be urged to contact their health care provider if they get flu-like symptoms for consideration of anti-viral therapy. When administered within two days of illness, these medications may reduce the duration of the flu.
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