Flu Shots Recommended for High Risk Populations

October 7, 2004
Published in the Houston Chronicle 10/07/04
Published in the Texas City Sun 10/07/04
Published in the Galveston Daily News 10/08/04

La Marque –  Officials with the Galveston County Health District are taking a close look at this year’s plans to protect the community from influenza with news that the country’s supply of flu vaccine has been cut in half after British health authorities shut down a major vaccine maker Tuesday.

“Eight to ten million doses of the flu vaccine are ordered each year by Texas doctors, companies, health care facilities, supermarket chains and other organizations,” says Kurt Koopmann, Public Information Officer for the District. “We ordered 6,600 doses and we have received 4,450 with delivery of the remaining doses unconfirmed at this time.”

“We feel we can adequately address the needs of those individuals we have traditionally served,” says Koopmann. “The unknown we are dealing with is how many may be sent our way by private providers and others who have not received the vaccine they ordered. If that occurs we will make every effort to serve as many citizens as possible.”

Almost anyone can receive a flu shot; however, because of the current situation the Centers for Disease Control with its Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, is issuing interim recommendations for influenza vaccination during the 2004-05 season. Under the interim guidelines the following priority groups should seriously consider receiving a flu vaccination:

• All children aged 6-23 months;
• Adults aged 65 years and older;
• Persons aged 2-64 years with underlying chronic conditions;
• All women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;
• Children aged 6 months – 18 years on chronic aspiring therapy;
• Health-care workers involved in direct patient care; and
• Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than six months old.

“Getting vaccinated, especially for those in the high-risk populations, is the best prevention,” says Mark Guidry, M.D., M.P.H., Health Authority for the Galveston County Health District. “Although the flu itself typically lasts only a week or two, it can lead to more serious illness such as pneumonia, especially for the elderly and people with other health problems. Every year an estimated 8,000 Texans are hospitalized and 1,500 die due to influenza or its complications.”

The vaccine is not recommended for people who have an allergic reaction to eggs or anyone with a history of Guillain-Barre’ Syndrome.

For persons with Medicare Part B insurance, the shot will be available at no cost to them. For others the vaccination will be available at a cost of $16.

For more information the public can call (409) 938-2201