Media Release

CONTACT: Robert J. Marshall Jr. Ph.D. 401-222-1017
FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: November 1, 2000

Staying Flexible is Key to a Successful Flu Vaccine Campaign in RI

Today the RI Department of Health (HEALTH) announced additional efforts to coordinate, monitor and inform the public about getting flu vaccine during the 2000-2001 season.

"Adults need shots too!" said Dr. Patricia Nolan, RI Director of Health. "It’s a little different this year due to the delays in vaccine distribution across the country; so we are encouraging people to stay flexible. Getting the flu shot is still one of the best ways for the elderly and other high risk people to protect against illness, a long hospital stay—or worse. HEALTH is working hard with community agencies to make sure that every eligible person has the opportunity to get this protection before the flu season takes off in January."

According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the same amount of flu vaccine will be available as last year. Late last week CDC intervened with national vaccine distributors to resolve some problems of uneven allocations throughout the US. CDC’s efforts were intended to assure that vaccine gets to high risk populations through physicians’ offices and hospitals in addition to public clinics. As a result, distributors changed some shipment timetables--requiring rescheduling for many of the community clinics already planned for Rhode Island.

"We have to remain flexible," said Dr. Nolan. "We are asking most people to hold off two or three weeks more to allow the elderly and people with chronic illnesses to get the protection they need."

In addition, Dr. Nolan announced that HEALTH officials are monitoring the flu vaccine supply on a daily basis. HEALTH continues to work closely with community agencies to ensure that public clinics are scheduled at locations, times and days of the week that give every adult an opportunity to get immunized. HEALTH advises that people in high risk groups should get immunized in November. Others should wait until December, unless the delays are resolved sooner. Public clinics will be available through December 2000.

High risk adults include:

• Anyone over 65 years
• Residents of nursing home and chronic care facilities
• Adults with chronic health problems (heart disease, diabetes, etc)
• Health care personnel
• Caregivers for elderly adults

Concerns about access to flu shots go beyond the elderly and adults with chronic health problems. HEALTH is working with pediatricians and community agencies to ensure access to flu vaccine for high risk children and pregnant women in the 2d and 3d trimester.

To get more information on current schedules for public clinics call the Adult Immunizations Hotline at 1-800-555-7858 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 1pm). HEALTH will post a one week schedule on the Internet at www.health.ri.gov/flu/home.htm and update it each Friday for the following week. In addition, the public should watch local newspapers for published schedules.