Press Release 107-05

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Flu Shots Now Being Given for Ny'ers at High Risk of Serious Illness From Influenza : Press Release : NYC DOHMH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release # 107-05
Wednesday, October 12, 2005

CONTACT: (212) 788-5290; (212) 788-3058 (After Hours)
Sandra Mullin (smullin@health.nyc.gov)
Andrew Tucker (atucker@health.nyc.gov)

HEALTH COMMISSIONER REMINDS NEW YORKERS AT HIGH RISK OF SERIOUS ILLNESS FROM INFLUENZA TO GET A FLU SHOT STARTING THIS MONTH

Healthy New Yorkers Asked to Seek Flu Shots in November
You Can't Get the Flu from the Flu Shot!
Health Department Clinics are Now Offering Flu Shots; Call 311 or Visit nyc.gov/health/flu

NEW YORK CITY – October 12, 2005 – To prepare for the coming flu season, City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas R. Frieden today urged New Yorkers at highest risk for serious illness or death from influenza (flu) to get a flu shot starting this month. Vaccine is currently available, and additional supplies will arrive from manufacturers periodically over the next few months, according to federal health officials. New Yorkers should first check with their doctor to schedule a flu shot. Otherwise, New Yorkers can call 311 or log on to nyc.gov/health/flu to find the closest Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) clinic.

Dr. Frieden said, “New Yorkers at highest risk of dying from the flu – especially people over the age of 65 – should get a flu shot this month. To make sure that people who need a flu shot are able to get one this year, those at highest risk for complications from the flu will be offered flu shots first. Remember, you need this year's flu shot to protect against this year's flu and you can't get the flu from the flu shot.”

“People at high risk for complications from the flu should always get a flu shot. While current vaccine supplies should allow everyone who wants to get a flu shot this year to get one, those at highest risk of severe illness or death from the flu should get vaccinated in October. We are in close contact with federal health officials to monitor the supply of vaccine available to the City. A flu shot received at any time during flu season will offer protection, so contact your medical provider to get one this season.”

Who Should Get a Flu Shot

People age 65 and older
Children age 6 to 23 months
Residents of nursing homes and other long-term-care facilities
Health care workers who take direct care of patients
Pregnant women
Persons age 6 months and older with long-term health problems, such as: diabetes; lung disease, including asthma; heart disease; kidney disease; sickle cell anemia; immune system problems (including people with HIV/AIDS, and those being treated for cancer or taking high-dose steroids); conditions that can cause breathing problems (such as cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders); and children age 6 months to 18 years on long-term aspirin therapy
Caregivers and household members of infants younger than 6 months (babies this age can get the flu, but are too young for a flu shot).

Ordering More Flu Vaccine - Information for Doctors

The medical community should make sure patients at highest risk of serious illness from the flu get vaccinated. Those physicians who do not have vaccine can contact us through the Provider Access Line (1-866-NYC-DOH1) or log on to nyc.gov/health/flu . Physicians can place an order for vaccine by completing an order form, which will be accepted by phone, fax, or e-mail. The cost is approximately $10.40 per dose. DOHMH will review all requests for flu vaccine and verify all orders prior to shipment. **NOTE: This process is not to be used by providers in the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC). Providers may request additional influenza vaccine for VFC-eligible children through the regular channels.**

Where to get a Flu Shot this Year (see clinic lists below) New Yorkers should get a flu shot from the family doctor or primary care provider. Additionally, many employers offer free or low-cost flu shots. Flu shots for people in high-risk groups are available free at Health Department immunization clinics (see list below) and free or low-cost at more than 30 Health and Hospitals Corporation facilities located citywide. Flu shots for people 65 and older are available free at City-operated senior centers. To find out where to get a flu shot, visit nyc.gov/health/flu or call 311 .

While DOHMH is currently offering flu shots at its usual clinics (see list of clinics below), DOHMH is prepared to open large scale vaccination clinics called Points of Dispensing Sites or PODS – as it did last year – to accommodate an increased demand for flu shots if necessary.

Help Stop the Spread of Flu and Other Infections

Get a flu shot every year as soon as you can. Also, reduce infections year-round:

Stay home when you're sick with fever and cough.
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Wash hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based solution.

Information about the Flu

The flu is a serious disease that causes 36,000 deaths, on average, each year and more than 200,000 annual hospitalizations nationwide. Symptoms of the flu include fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, chills, a severe headache and muscle aches as well as a cough and sore throat. Individuals who know that they have been exposed to someone with influenza, or who are experiencing symptoms of flu, should consult with their health care provider immediately to determine if antiviral drugs may be helpful. Treatment with antiviral medications can sometimes make the course of illness less severe, if treatment is started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Antibiotics are not effective against influenza.

DOHMH monitors for flu activity in nursing homes and other congregate care facilities as part of its seasonal flu surveillance among physicians, labs, ambulance runs and emergency departments, but does not track every individual case of flu. Flu season generally peaks in January/February.

For more information about the flu, call 311 or visit nyc.gov/health/flu .

Information about Avian Flu

Currently, avian flu does not spread easily from human to human, and no cases have occurred in the U.S. Pandemic flu preparedness planning is a top DOHMH priority, as it has been for the past several years. For more information, visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cd/cd-avianflu.shtml .

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#107

NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FLU SHOT CLINICS

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/imm/immclin.shtml

Flu shots are offered from October through March. No appointment is necessary; persons will be seen on a first come first served basis. Children between the ages of 4 and 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian or have a signed consent from the guardian. DOHMH clinics are closed on City observed holidays. Call 311 for further information about available vaccination services.

CLINIC	POPULATION SERVED	DAYS/TIMES OF OPERATION	TRAVEL DIRECTIONS
Tremont Health Center 1826 Arthur Avenue - 1 st Fl. Bronx, New York Btwn: Cross Bronx Expwy & Tremont Ave.	Children >= 4 years of age and Adults	Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30 AM to - 2:30 PM	#2 or #5 train to East Tremont Ave-West Farms Square, or # 4 train to Burnside Ave, then #40 or #42 bus to Arthur Ave
Chelsea Health Center 303 Ninth Avenue - 1 st Fl. Manhattan, New York Btwn: 27 th & 28 th Sts.	Children >= 4 years of age and Adults	Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30 AM to - 2:30 PM	C or E train to West 23 rd Street or #1 or #9 train to West 28 th Street
Corona Health Center 34-33 Junction Blvd - Basement Level Queens, New York Btwn: 34 th Ave. & 34 th Rd.	Adults	Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 AM to - 2:30 PM	#7 train to Junction Boulevard
Homecrest Health Center 1601 Avenue S - 1 st Fl Brooklyn, New York Btwn: East 16 th & E 17th Sts.	Children >= 4 years of age and Adults	Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 AM to - 2:30 PM	B or Q train to Kings Highway, or Q train to Ave. U
Richmond Health Center 51 Stuyvesant Place - 1 st floor Staten Island, New York Btwn: Wall St & Richmond Terrace	Adults (Flu and Pneumonia Shots)	Monday 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM	Near the Staten Island Ferry Terminal

NEW YORK CITY HEALTH AND HOSPITALS CORPORATION FLU SHOT LOCATIONS

http://www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/html/community/press-flushots.shtml

Each of the HHC's facilities will have vaccines on hand and will administer them to New Yorkers who request them. Uninsured patients will receive shots at no cost. For more information about where you can get a flu shot, call 311 .

This service is brought to you by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Clinical Directors Network (CDN) and the Community Health Center Association of New York State (CHCANYS)