An expected shipment of 5,000 doses of influenza vaccine was received Wednesday by the Nevada State Health Division, 1,000 of which will be distributed in Northern Nevada for people in high-risk categories.
"Healthy people ages 2 to 64 who are not categorized in a priority group are asked to remain aware of the flu vaccine shortage situation and to voluntarily forego or defer their own vaccination this year," said Martha Framstead public information officer for the Health Division.
Those who should seek the vaccination are:
• Children aged 6-23 months
• Adults aged 65 years or older.
• Adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic lung or heart disorders including heart disease and asthma.
• Women who will be pregnant during flu season.
• Adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic metabolic diseases, kidney diseases, blood disorders, or weakened immune systems, including persons with HIV/AIDS
• Children and teenagers, 6 months to 18 years of age, who take aspirin daily
• Residents of nursing homes, long-term care facilities and other chronic-care facilities
• Health-care workers who provide direct, hands-on care to patients
• Household members and out-of-home caregivers of infants under the age of 6 months. Children under the age of 6 months cannot be vaccinated.
Framstead said people who aren't at high risk can do their part to help stop the spread of the seasonal illness by following a few preventive measures:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
• Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work and school when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose and mouth.
Information
To learn more about influenza visit:
http//health2k.state.nv.us
Or call your local health department:
Carson City: 887-2195
Lyon County: 246-6211
Douglas County: 782-9038
Storey County: 450-9721
