SACRAMENTO – With
influenza cases now confirmed in California,
the state’s public health officer
is urging those who want protection
from the flu to get immunized.
“Thousands of serious illnesses
and deaths can be prevented this flu
season if Californians get immunized
with a seasonal flu vaccine, our best
defense against the flu,” said
Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California
Department of Public Health (CDPH).
CDPH
and the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention are again recommending
flu vaccine this year for everyone
six months of age and older. It is
especially important that certain groups
be vaccinated, like those who live
with or care for others who are at
a greater risk of developing complications.
These groups are:
- Pregnant
women;
- Children
younger than five;
- Adults
50 years and older;
- People
of any age with chronic medical
conditions
such as heart disease
or diabetes
- People
who live in nursing homes or long-term
care
facilities;
and
- People
who live with or care for those
at high-risk for complications
from the flu, including
health care and day care workers.
California’s
Influenza is a viral
respiratory infection that can leave
its victims incapacitated for several
days with fever, muscle aches, sore
throat and cough. Each year an average
of 24,000 people die from influenza
and its complications in the United
States.
Californians can obtain their flu
shot from their health care providers
or workplace wellness center:
- To
find a flu clinic near you, visit
www.FluClinicLocator.org.
- For
information about low- and no-cost
flu vaccines,
contact your local
health department.
- For
more information about the flu,
visit the CDPH Immunization
Branch website at www.GetImmunizedCA.org.
To help stop the spread of flu and
other respiratory illnesses, Californians
should also:
- Stay
home when sick.
- Cover
their coughs or sneezes with
an elbow
or a tissue, and
then properly dispose of used tissues.
- Wash
hands thoroughly with soap and
warm water or an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer, avoiding contact with
eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay
healthy. Everyone benefits from
eating a balanced
diet, drinking plenty of water,
not smoking, and getting
adequate rest and
exercise.
California
Department of Public
Health
http://www.cdph.ca.go
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