Sept. 02--BLOOMINGTON -- Just two years after the H1N1 pandemic, public health officials are concerned that Central Illinoisans will not take influenza seriously because last year's flu season was comparatively mild.
So here's their attention-getting message: Get vaccinated while you're still wearing short sleeves.
You don't have to wait until October or November to get protection from the common but potentially life-threatening respiratory disease.
"It's not too early. We recommend that people get vaccinated as quickly as possible," said Walt Howe, director of the McLean County Health Department.
Because it takes two weeks to build immunity to influenza after getting a flu shot, people who are vaccinated in September will be protected when the first flu cases are expected in October, Howe said.
"It's OK to be vaccinated in September," said Dr. Lamont Tyler, medical director of specialty physician services at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington. "It is anticipated that will provide protection throughout the (flu) season" which runs through early spring.
Dr. Wayne McBride, vice president of medical management for Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal, and Advocate Eureka Hospital, Eureka, agreed.
"We encourage everyone to be vaccinated this year," McBride said. "I share the concern that when the threat appears to be low, people tend to become complacent."
The health department already has started vaccinating its employees, including Howe, who got his flu shot Aug. 24. The department will begin its traditional flu shot clinics for high-risk populations on Sept. 12, about a month earlier than usual.
Meanwhile, the Advocate and OSF health care systems have strengthened their policies, calling for nearly all employees, contractors and volunteers to be vaccinated for influenza this year.
For the general public, some pharmacies already have vaccine available and doctors' offices are expected to follow soon. Vaccine supplies are plentiful this year, Howe said.
While most people who get the contagious respiratory disease miss several days of work or school before recovering, flu can result in hospitalization and death among infants, the elderly, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and people who live in long-term care facilities.
The best thing people can do to reduce their risk is to get an annual flu shot, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Central Illinois health professionals.
This year's vaccine protects against three influenza strains (including H1N1) which are predicted to be prevalent this year. It is the same three strains as last year, but people need to be vaccinated again because last year's flu shot will not provide adequate protection a year later, doctors said.
For the second year in a row, CDC is recommending that everyone age 6 months and older receive a flu vaccination. Howe and the doctors believe that more widespread immunization is among reasons that last year's flu season was milder.
Health care workers are trying to set an example. Because unvaccinated health care workers can be a cause of outbreaks in health care settings, workplace immunization programs decrease the likelihood of outbreaks, FDA said.
CDC estimated that nationwide only 40 percent of people who work in health care settings get a flu shot each year. Therefore, CDC strongly recommends that everyone who works in a hospital, nursing home, physician's office, urgent care center and outpatient clinic as well as home health workers and emergency medical personnel be vaccinated.
Advocate Health Care -- which includes Advocate BroMenn and Advocate Eureka -- is mandating this year for the first time that employees, volunteers, employed physicians, contractors and students who work in any Advocate building where there are patients be vaccinated this fall for influenza, McBride said. Previously, everyone was strongly encouraged to get a flu shot.
Flu shots are recommended for employees who work in non-patient settings, such as the warehouse, and for independent physicians who aren't employed by Advocate, McBride said.
"The purpose of this is to minimize the likelihood of transmission of influenza," McBride said. "Over 200 health care systems mandate influenza vaccination and we felt this was the right thing to do."
Exemptions for valid medical or religious reasons must be filed by Sept. 19. Immunizations will take place in October and November.
Last year, 65.4 percent of Advocate BroMenn, Advocate Eureka and Advocate Medical Group employees, contractors and volunteers were vaccinated. McBride wants that increased to more than 90 percent.
OSF Health Care wants everyone who works in a hospital or another clinical setting -- including employees, contractors, residents, students and volunteers -- to get a flu shot, Tyler said. People who can't be vaccinated for medical reasons will be required -- once influenza is in the area -- to wear a mask when they are working within six feet of a patient, family member, visitor or another employee, he said.
Eighty percent of Bloomington-area OSF employees received a flu shot last year.
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Flu shot clinics
McLean County Health Department will have its flu shot clinics later this month for residents at risk of complications of influenza. Generally, these are people age 60 and older and people with chronic medical conditions. Because of wide availability of flu vaccine at pharmacies, the health department will have fewer clinics this year.
No appointments are needed for the clinics, which will be:
--12:45 to 2:45 p.m. Sept. 12 at Normal Township Community Center, Normal
--9:30 to 11 a.m. Sept. 13 at LeRoy First United Methodist Church, LeRoy
--1:30 to 3 p.m. Sept. 14 at Lexington Community Center, Lexington
--9:30 to 11 a.m. Sept. 15 at Danvers Fire Protection Community Building, Danvers
--1:30 to 3 p.m. Sept. 15 at Heyworth Christian Church, Heyworth
SOURCE: Walt Howe
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Reduce your risk
Besides getting a flu shot, here are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting influenza this fall and winter:
--Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with warm water and soap.
--Use antibacterial gel when water and soap aren't immediately available.
--Use antibacterial wipes to clean work areas and exercise equipment. Keep food preparation areas clean.
--Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth when your hands aren't clean.
--Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or into a tissue and then throw the tissue away.
--Stay home when you're sick. Don't return to work or school until you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
--Keep your distance from people with cold and flu symptoms.
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(c)2011 The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Ill.)
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