Tri-Cities Task Force Takes On Influenza
10/08/08 Morning Edition
http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/medical/article/tri_cities_task_force_takes_on_influenza/14769/
10/08/08 Morning Edition
http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/medical/article/tri_cities_task_force_takes_on_influenza/14769/
CLICK LINK FOR FLU SHOT LOCATIONS http://www.brmmc.net/body_BRPG_main.cfm?id=86
Before they can sit in a booster seat, many infants may need to get a booster shot.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has lowered the age for children to get flu immunizations to six months.
“We are recommending this year that all children receive the flu vaccine if they are over six months of age. This is an expansion of the previous recommendations to vaccinate children up to two years of age and those with chronic or underlying medical conditions. But is was an evidence based recommendation that was reached by our advisory committee because of the impact that influenza has on the health status of children but also their time in school and flu is very transmissible in school.” –Julie Gerberding, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The C.D.C. reports influenza is the nation’s number one preventable-vaccine disease. 36,000 people died from the illness last flu season.
The Mountain Empire Epidemiology Task Force is working to reduce and prevent flu cases across the Tri-Cities region.
Wednesday at 10a.m. the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (Building 204, Room L-229) will host health officials who will introduce a collaborative effort to combat influenza cases.
“Keep Flu Out: Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Those You Love” is MEETF’s new campaign to bring flu clinics and prevention information to Tri-Cities communities.
“What the task force is doing is going out to the public and doing a push with families specifically saying, ‘look we need you to come in with your children if they’re 6-months or older and get the flu shot,’” said James Watson with the Mountain States Health Alliance.
Flu clinic signs are posted all over the Food City on South Roan Street. It’s one of dozens of locations offering immunizations at a discounted price. Nurse Practitioner Elaine Flynn says an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
“Without protecting yourself, you’re going to experience lost work days, lost school days, and possibly you could wind-up in the hospital,” said Flynn.
The C.D.C. reports deadly staph infections are on the rise in children who get the flu. From 2005 to 2007 the number of children suffering from serious bacterial infections with the flu jumped six fold. Health officials say the best defense is the flu shot.
Mountain Empire health officials urge people to follow C.D.C. guidelines calling for children ages six-months through 18-years-old should get the flu shot. This means, two doses per year for kids up to eight years old. One shot for those on the later end of the spectrum.
Before they can sit in a booster seat, many infants may need to get a booster shot.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has lowered the age for children to get flu immunizations to six months.
“We are recommending this year that all children receive the flu vaccine if they are over six months of age. This is an expansion of the previous recommendations to vaccinate children up to two years of age and those with chronic or underlying medical conditions. But is was an evidence based recommendation that was reached by our advisory committee because of the impact that influenza has on the health status of children but also their time in school and flu is very transmissible in school.” –Julie Gerberding, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The C.D.C. reports influenza is the nation’s number one preventable-vaccine disease. 36,000 people died from the illness last flu season.
The Mountain Empire Epidemiology Task Force is working to reduce and prevent flu cases across the Tri-Cities region.
Wednesday at 10a.m. the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (Building 204, Room L-229) will host health officials who will introduce a collaborative effort to combat influenza cases.
“Keep Flu Out: Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Those You Love” is MEETF’s new campaign to bring flu clinics and prevention information to Tri-Cities communities.
“What the task force is doing is going out to the public and doing a push with families specifically saying, ‘look we need you to come in with your children if they’re 6-months or older and get the flu shot,’” said James Watson with the Mountain States Health Alliance.
Flu clinic signs are posted all over the Food City on South Roan Street. It’s one of dozens of locations offering immunizations at a discounted price. Nurse Practitioner Elaine Flynn says an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
“Without protecting yourself, you’re going to experience lost work days, lost school days, and possibly you could wind-up in the hospital,” said Flynn.
The C.D.C. reports deadly staph infections are on the rise in children who get the flu. From 2005 to 2007 the number of children suffering from serious bacterial infections with the flu jumped six fold. Health officials say the best defense is the flu shot.
Mountain Empire health officials urge people to follow C.D.C. guidelines calling for children ages six-months through 18-years-old should get the flu shot. This means, two doses per year for kids up to eight years old. One shot for those on the later end of the spectrum.
Contact any of the following Mountain Empire Epidemiology Task Force groups for flu immunization information
Cumberland Plateau Health District (VA) http://www.vdh.state.va.us/LHD/cumbplat/
ETSU College of Public Health http://www.etsu.edu/cpah/
Lenowisco Health District (VA) http://www.vdh.state.va.us/LHD/lenowisco/index.htm
Mount Rogers Health District (VA) http://www.vdh.state.va.us/LHD/mtrogers/
Mountain States Health Alliance http://www.msha.com/
Northeast Regional Health Office (TN) http://health.state.tn.us/ems/regionaddresses.htm
Sullivan County Regional Health Office (TN) http://www.sullivanhealth.org/content/default.asp?General_ID=54
James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (TN) http://www.mountainhome.va.gov/
Wellmont Health System http://www.wellmont.org/default.htm ###
Cumberland Plateau Health District (VA) http://www.vdh.state.va.us/LHD/cumbplat/
ETSU College of Public Health http://www.etsu.edu/cpah/
Lenowisco Health District (VA) http://www.vdh.state.va.us/LHD/lenowisco/index.htm
Mount Rogers Health District (VA) http://www.vdh.state.va.us/LHD/mtrogers/
Mountain States Health Alliance http://www.msha.com/
Northeast Regional Health Office (TN) http://health.state.tn.us/ems/regionaddresses.htm
Sullivan County Regional Health Office (TN) http://www.sullivanhealth.org/content/default.asp?General_ID=54
James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (TN) http://www.mountainhome.va.gov/
Wellmont Health System http://www.wellmont.org/default.htm ###
