Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: December 19, 2007

Peak Flu Season Approaching; HEALTH Reports Plenty of Vaccine Available for Rhode Islanders

HEALTH announces that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting flu in 39 states this week, up from 19 states a month ago. “We expect to see an increase in flu activity in Rhode Island in the next few weeks, as the number of flu cases across the country peaks in January or early February,” said Director of Health, David R. Gifford, MD, MPH. “It is not too late for people to get vaccinated against influenza, and there is enough vaccine in the state to reach everyone who wants it. I encourage anyone who has not been vaccinated yet to get a flu shot.”

The CDC tracks the spread of flu across the country. “Because neighboring states in the northeast have begun to report cases, we can predict that cases will begin to rise in Rhode Island unless people get their flu shots,” said Gifford. 

During the holidays, many people travel to be with family. Illness spreads easily when people gather with families and friends. Taking the time to get vaccinated, either through a health care provider or organized clinic, can prevent people from getting sick, missing work, and passing the flu to loved ones, friends, and colleagues.

In Rhode Island, approximately 50,000-200,000 people get the flu every year and about 120 people die from the flu or complications from the flu. Flu vaccine is recommended for pregnant women, children 6 months to 5 years of age, health care workers, people 50 years of age and older, children and adults with chronic medical conditions, people in close contact or caring for those at greatest risk of severe illness such as the elderly and very young children.  Children under 6 months of age are too young to be vaccinated, therefore it is especially important for family members and out of home caregivers of infants to get vaccinated. 

This year HEALTH ordered 258,000 doses of flu vaccine for adults, as part of its new Immunize for Life adult flu program. All of those doses have been delivered to health care providers and mass immunizers.   For the pediatric population, HEALTH ordered 180,000 doses and about 60% have been distributed.

For information about where to get vaccinated, contact your health care provider, call 1-800-555-7858, or go to: www.osaicri.org/  to find a flu clinic near you.