X

St. Lawrence County public health urging more people to get flu vaccine

Posted 3/2/18

CANTON -- The St. Lawrence County Public Health Department is urging everyone six months and older to receive a flu vaccine as cases of influenza rise across the state. In recent weeks new cases have …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

St. Lawrence County public health urging more people to get flu vaccine

Posted

CANTON -- The St. Lawrence County Public Health Department is urging everyone six months and older to receive a flu vaccine as cases of influenza rise across the state.

In recent weeks new cases have been diagnosed in all counties of the state, and reported hospitalizations with laboratory-confirmed flu are at record highs.

“The flu is a serious disease. It can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death,” Dana Olzenak-McGuire, director of the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department, said in a prepared statement. “The most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu is by getting a flu vaccination.”

According to the State Health Department, vaccinations should continue throughout flu season, as long as flu viruses are circulating. Flu vaccine can vary in how well it works, but remains the best way to prevent illness and influenza complications, including those that can lead to hospitalization. Even when flu vaccine does not prevent illness, it still lessens the severity and shortens the duration of the flu.

To receive a flu shot, contact your local health care provider or pharmacy, or find information about vaccination clinics by contacting your local health department or agency here: www.health.ny.gov/contact/contact_information/index.htm

Unlike a cold, flu symptoms come on fast and may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People infected with influenza may have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

“People with the flu should drink plenty of liquids, rest and contact their health care provider if they feel very ill or do not seem to rebound after a few days. If you think you have the flu, you should stay home to avoid spreading it to others,” Olzenak-McGuire.

The State Health Department recommends that people who are very sick, or people who are sick and at high risk of serious complications of the flu, be treated early with flu antiviral drugs. Antiviral drugs work best when started within two days of symptoms first appearing. There are no current shortages of antiviral drugs, and manufacturers report they expect to meet projected seasonal demands

“People at high risk for complications of flu should contact their health care provider as soon as they develop flu-like symptoms,” Olzenak-McGuire said.

Since the flu virus can spread through coughing or sneezing, it is especially important for family members and people who have regular contact with high-risk individuals to be vaccinated.

Those at highest risk for complications from flu include people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women and people of any age with chronic, long-term health problems such as heart or lung disease, kidney problems, diabetes, asthma, anemia, HIV/AIDS or other illnesses that suppress the immune system.

For more information on the current flu season and how to protect yourself and your family, visit the State Health Department web site at www.health.ny.gov/flu. For information on the prevalence of flu in New York State this week, visit www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/surveillance/2017-2018/flu_report_current_week.pdf

To find a flu vaccine, visit: https://vaccinefinder.org/ and to contact a local medical provider or call the St. Lawrence County Public Health department at 315-386-2325.