Media Release

CONTACT: Robert J. Marshall Jr., Ph.D., (401) 222-1017 Pager 544-4359
FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: November 20, 2000

Media Advisory for Parents of High-Risk Children

Department of Health Distributes Flu Vaccine for High-Risk Children

8000 Doses Sent to Hospitals and Community Physicians

Today, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) Childhood Immunization Program announces the distribution of over 8000 doses of influenza (flu) vaccine to physicians for immunization of high-risk children.

To make an appointment for the influenza immunization, parents of high-risk children should call your child’s primary care physician.

HEALTH provides the flu vaccine for children who fall into special, high-risk categories as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those categories include:

• Children who have serious long-term health problems with:

Heart disease
Lung disease
Asthma
Kidney disease
Metabolic disease, such as diabetes
Anemia, and other blood disorders

• Children whose immune system is weakened because of:

HIV/AIDS or other immune system diseases
Long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids
Cancer treatment with radiation or drugs

• Children age 6 months to 18 years on long term aspirin treatmentChildhood residents of chronic care facilities
• Adolescent females after the first trimester of pregnancy

HEALTH officials expect additional childhood influenza vaccine within the next few weeks. For more information, parents of high-risk children may call the Family Health Information Line at 1-800-942-7434. For information on adult flu vaccine, contact the Flu Hotline at 1-800-555-7858