HEALTH Expands Eligibility Guidelines for Adult Flu Shots

Rhode Island Department of Health

3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
Phone: (401) 222-2231
Fax: (401) 222-6548
711(TTY)

Media Release

FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: December 20, 2004
CONTACT: Maria Wah-Fitta 401-222-3998

HEALTH Expands Eligibility Guidelines for Adult Flu Shots; New Regional Flu Vaccination Sites Scheduled

Patricia A. Nolan, MD, MPH, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) is pleased to announce that because of increased availability of flu vaccine in the state, in physician’s offices, and through our community partners, HEALTH has now expanded the guidelines for the use of adult flu shots during the remainder of the 2004-2005 influenza season. Any adult 65 years of age or older is now eligible for a flu shot. People under the age of 65 with chronic conditions are also eligible.

Adults in priority categories include:

ELDERLY - All adults age 65 and older

ADULTS with chronic medical conditions. This includes:

People with chronic medical conditions requiring frequent and on-going medical treatment
Chronic disorders of the heart or lungs
Persistent asthma requiring regular medication
Chronic disorders of the kidneys, blood, immune system or metabolism
Diabetes requiring treatment with insulin or other medications
All adults age 50 or older with mild asthma or emphysema.

This does not include:

Adults under 50 years of age with only mild intermittent asthma or emphysema who only require as needed or rescue medications
Adults with diabetes managed by diet and exercise alone, not medication
Adults under 65 years of age with only high cholesterol, high blood pressure, arthritis, dermatitis, or other diagnoses where influenza would not worsen the disease

* For a complete list of priority groups, go to www.health.ri.gov/flu

2 new regional flu clinics are scheduled as follows:

	Clinic Date/Time	Flu Vaccination Site
NEW!	Wednesday, Dec 22, 10 am - noon	Benjamin Church Senior Center, 1020 Hope St, Bristol
NEW!	Tuesday Dec 28, 10 - noon	Barrington Senior Center, 281 County Road, Barrington

No pre-registration is required for these clinics. In order to get a flu shot, people over the age of 65 must provide proof of age, and others must bring a doctor’s note stating that they are in a high priority group according to the guidelines.

For more information call the Family Health Information Line at 1-800-942-7434 during regular business hours.

Cannon Building

PDF Help Center

You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader® to view or download PDF documents. If you have difficulty with a PDF download, please try these solutions