Immunize for a Flu-Free Washington

11/1/2007

More flu vaccine is available this year than ever before

Immunize for a Flu-Free Washington

Submitted by the Washington State Department of Health

As health care providers, people listen to you. Encourage your patients and staff to get vaccinated against the flu. Influenza (flu) immunization rates are alarmingly low. In Washington, our rates are 72.4% for adults over age 65 and only 22.8% for children! Help us increase vaccine rates, especially for these two age groups most at risk for flu complications.

Flu vaccine is especially important for:

Children ages 6 months up to the 5^th birthday
Pregnant women
People 50 years or older
Anyone with a chronic health condition like diabetes, heart disease or asthma
Anyone who lives with or takes care of a child who is younger than five years old
Health care providers

If you are unable to provide flu vaccine to your patients, direct them to:

Your local health department
A local pharmacy
The Flu Clinic Locator at www.flucliniclocator.org

More flu vaccine is available this year than ever before.

Flu shots can be given to anyone 6 months and older
The nasal spray flu vaccine can be given to healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49 years who are not pregnant
Children younger than age 9 need two doses of either vaccine if they’ve never had flu vaccine before

There's still time to get vaccinated. Flu activity in Washington usually peaks in February or March. It's not too late to protect yourself, your staff and your patients.

Remind your patients and staff to practice good health habits:

· Cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hand, or use a tissue – be sure to throw the tissue away

· Wash hands often with soap and warm water

· Stay home when sick

If patients want additional resources, suggest they visit www.doh.wa.gov/flunews.

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Immunize for a Flu-Free Washington

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