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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, Dec. 22, 2008 |
CONTACT Erich Kirshner |
Pediatric Flu Vaccinations Harder to Come By, But Still AvailableHealth Officials Say “It’s Not Too Late” for a Flu VaccinationDENVER – State health officials say that while it might a bit harder to find, pediatric influenza (flu) vaccine still is available in Colorado. Now is a good time to get vaccinated since the holidays are a time when the flu virus is often spread. “Some vaccination providers have said pediatric vaccine is getting hard to find because many pediatricians have used all their initial vaccine supplies and are not reordering additional vaccine,” said Joni Reynolds, director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Immunization Program “Fortunately, there are still places for parents to take their children for influenza vaccinations, and it’s not too late to get them vaccinated.” Families are advised to first check with their children’s pediatrician to determine if their physician is still offering vaccinations. Other good sources for pediatric vaccinations include the following:
In addition to obtaining vaccinations, residents can protect themselves from colds and the flu by washing their hands frequently during flu season and by avoiding, when possible, people who are sick due to colds or flu. The flu vaccination is safe and, despite myths to the contrary, does not cause vaccinated people to get the flu. Since Oct. 1, there have been only three confirmed flu-related hospitalizations this season. Flu hospitalizations are expected to continue to grow well into 2009. During the 2007-2008 flu season, there were a total of 1,004 reported influenza-associated hospitalizations and two pediatric deaths in Colorado. The 2007-2008 flu season peaked during the week of Feb. 23, 2008. To better protect the public, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now is recommending that all eligible children ages 6 months through 18 years receive the influenza vaccine. Prior to this season, the recommendation was for ages 6 months to 6 years. “Immunizing more children against the flu better protects the entire community against an outbreak of flu. By preventing these children from getting sick, family members also are protected, as well as the other people these children come in contact with on a daily basis,” said Reynolds. Every year in the United States about 5-20 percent of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die. Some people, such as older people, young children and people with certain health conditions, are at higher risk for serious flu complications. For additional flu vaccine clinic information, visit www.immunizecolorado.com or call 1-877-462-2911. ---30--- |
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