Fort Bliss Monitor

Community faced with flu vaccine shortage – tips given to avoid infection

Margaret Robinson
WBAMC

In early October, one of the two manufacturers of the influenza vaccine lost their license to produce vaccine because of impurities found in it. None of the tainted vaccine was used, but the United States lost 50 percent of its supply – the Department of Defense lost 65 percent.

We are faced with a severe shortage of influenza vaccine this year, but there are some things you can do to protect your health and the health of those around you. If you develop influenza, treatment is available.

Practicing these good health habits can reduce your risks of getting the flu: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you’re sick keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and don’t run errands when you are sick, you will help prevent others from catching your illness. If you cannot stay home, wear a mask to help decrease transmission of respiratory viruses such as influenza to other people. Cover your mouth and nose - cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, at least use a sleeve. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Antimicrobial gels are very effective in killing organisms that cause disease. Buy a small bottle and keep it in your pocket, briefcase, or purse. Avoid touching your face -Germs are spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. To boost your immunity get plenty of sleep and physical activity, drink water, and eat good food to help you stay healthy in the winter and all year.

Some people are at high risk for getting sick from influenza disease, and therefore are a high priority for getting the vaccine. Patients in the following categories need the influenza vaccine: adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic lung or heart disorders including heart disease and asthma; pregnant women; adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes), kidney diseases, blood disorders, or weakened immune systems, including persons with HIV/AIDS; children and teenagers, 6 months to 18 years of age who take aspirin daily; residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities; household members and out-of-home caregivers of infants under the age of 6 months (children under the age of 6 months cannot be vaccinated); all infants 6-23 months old: health care workers who provide direct patient care.

When influenza vaccine is not readily available, people can decrease their risk of serious illness by being up to date on other vaccinations, especially pneumococcus. All persons in the following high risk categories must be vaccinated: people 65 years of age and older and children ages 6 months to 23 months; adults with normal immune systems who have a serious chronic illness; immunocompromised adults; persons with HIV infection; transplant recipients; persons without spleens.

If flu vaccine supplies are completely exhausted, patients in the highest risk category for serious influenza disease may receive a medication for preventing influenza disease. Patients should discuss this with their doctor. If someone becomes ill from influenza, many of these same drugs are effective for treatment, but must be started within one to two days of symptoms.

Active duty soldiers are generally healthy and well vaccinated and are therefore at low risk for influenza disease and its complications. Soldiers living in barracks, tents or other confined facilities are at slightly increased risk due to overcrowding. Persons in these environments must follow the above good health habits even more carefully than others.

For information about protecting yourself you may go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldget.htm or call, 569-4081.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	October 21, 2004

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Community faced with flu vaccine shortage – tips given to avoid infection Margaret Robinson WBAMC In early October, one of the two manufacturers of the influenza vaccine lost their license to produce vaccine because of impurities found in it. None of the tainted vaccine was used, but the United States lost 50 percent of its supply – the Department of Defense lost 65 percent. We are faced with a severe shortage of influenza vaccine this year, but there are some things you can do to protect your health and the health of those around you. If you develop influenza, treatment is available. Practicing these good health habits can reduce your risks of getting the flu: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you’re sick keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and don’t run errands when you are sick, you will help prevent others from catching your illness. If you cannot stay home, wear a mask to help decrease transmission of respiratory viruses such as influenza to other people. Cover your mouth and nose - cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, at least use a sleeve. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Antimicrobial gels are very effective in killing organisms that cause disease. Buy a small bottle and keep it in your pocket, briefcase, or purse. Avoid touching your face -Germs are spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. To boost your immunity get plenty of sleep and physical activity, drink water, and eat good food to help you stay healthy in the winter and all year. Some people are at high risk for getting sick from influenza disease, and therefore are a high priority for getting the vaccine. Patients in the following categories need the influenza vaccine: adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic lung or heart disorders including heart disease and asthma; pregnant women; adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes), kidney diseases, blood disorders, or weakened immune systems, including persons with HIV/AIDS; children and teenagers, 6 months to 18 years of age who take aspirin daily; residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities; household members and out-of-home caregivers of infants under the age of 6 months (children under the age of 6 months cannot be vaccinated); all infants 6-23 months old: health care workers who provide direct patient care. When influenza vaccine is not readily available, people can decrease their risk of serious illness by being up to date on other vaccinations, especially pneumococcus. All persons in the following high risk categories must be vaccinated: people 65 years of age and older and children ages 6 months to 23 months; adults with normal immune systems who have a serious chronic illness; immunocompromised adults; persons with HIV infection; transplant recipients; persons without spleens. If flu vaccine supplies are completely exhausted, patients in the highest risk category for serious influenza disease may receive a medication for preventing influenza disease. Patients should discuss this with their doctor. If someone becomes ill from influenza, many of these same drugs are effective for treatment, but must be started within one to two days of symptoms. Active duty soldiers are generally healthy and well vaccinated and are therefore at low risk for influenza disease and its complications. Soldiers living in barracks, tents or other confined facilities are at slightly increased risk due to overcrowding. Persons in these environments must follow the above good health habits even more carefully than others. For information about protecting yourself you may go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldget.htm or call, 569-4081.