Media Release

FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: November 29, 2004
CONTACT: Maria Wah-Fitta (401) 222-3998

HEALTH Announces Increased Vaccine Availability for Rhode Island Children; Parents Should Schedule Flu Vaccinations for Children Now

The Department of Health (HEALTH) announced today that most Rhode Island doctors who see children in their practice have received enough vaccine to cover those children included in the priority categories. Parents or guardians of children 6 to 23 months of age, or of children aged 2 to 18 years who are on chronic aspirin therapy, or who have asthma, heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes, should call their doctor to schedule a flu shot.

“ School-aged children are particularly susceptible to influenza, and are also likely to spread the virus to others in their home and community,” said Penelope H. Dennehy, MD, Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

All healthy children over 5 years of age, and especially those who live in a household with a child under 6 months of age are encouraged to get the nasal spray vaccine FluMist. “ When you vaccinate healthy children aged 5 to 18 against influenza, you can help protect a whole family,” said Dr. Dennehy. FluMist is a safe and effective vaccine for many children. HEALTH recommends that parents talk to their doctors about this option.

HEALTH encourages everyone to keep practicing the following preventive measures:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water and teach your children to do the same.
• Cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hands, or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Throw away used tissue right away.
• Stay away from sick people.
• If you or your children are sick, stay home from work, school, and errands.

For more information, go to http://www.health.ri.gov/flu/index.php or call the Family Health Information Line at 1-800-942-7434.