KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Flu shots are an excellent way to improve the chances that you and those around you will stay healthy during the flu season. Starting this month and through the fall and winter months, health care providers and Public Health centers throughout the county will be offering influenza vaccinations.

“The flu shot has great benefits for the community by protecting all of us, especially those most at risk for complications,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. “Flu vaccine protects people by reducing the risk of getting the flu and reducing its severity, and flu shots also protect those who cannot get immunized, such as infants and adults with weakened immune systems, by reducing influenza among their contacts.”

Anyone who wants protection against the flu should receive flu vaccine. Flu vaccine is especially recommended for people who are at high risk for complications from the flu, including:

• Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease (including asthma), kidney disease or diabetes
• People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities

People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu should also be vaccinated, including:

• Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
• Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
• Healthcare workers

Influenza is a highly contagious illness causing an average of 36,000 deaths and over 200,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States; pneumonia is the most common complication in high-risk groups. Influenza, unlike the common cold, has a swift onset of severe symptoms beginning with two to seven days of fever, headache, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, runny nose and sore throat, and a cough that is often severe and may last seven days or more.

Vaccine supply and where to get a flu shot

This year, flu vaccine manufacturers plan to make available over 130 million doses of vaccine nationally, more than ever before.

Flu shots will be available at regular doctors’ offices and clinics, Public Health centers and other providers. Some providers may also have available the live attenuated intranasal vaccine, or “FluMist.”

For complete information about influenza and where to receive the flu shot, call Public Health’s Information Line at 206-296-4949 or visit the Flu Season web pages at www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization/fluseason.htm.

Persons at high risk for influenza-related complications may also need immunization against pneumococcal pneumonia. This vaccine is given only once to most people, with a one-time revaccination recommended for people with certain medical conditions. Persons should talk to their health care provider about this vaccine.

Cost of flu shot

Flu and pneumococcal vaccines are covered by Medicare Part B. If you have Medicare coverage and belong to a managed care plan or HMO, you should go to your regular health care provider. If you do not have Medicare insurance, the fee for a flu shot at Public Health - Seattle & King County clinics is $25, for intranasal flu vaccine is $33, and for the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine is $39, with a sliding scale based on income. Costs vary for flu and pneumococcal vaccines through other providers.

The federal and state funded Vaccines for Children Program subsidizes the cost of children’s vaccine at most health care clinics. This program now includes funding for flu vaccine for all children ages 6 to 59 months of age. Families may want to check with their clinic or physician about this program.

Stop germs, stay healthy

Good health manners, such as covering coughs and washing hands, avoiding close contact with ill people, and staying home from work and school when ill, can be very effective in preventing transmission of disease, including the flu.

Public Health recommends that you cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you do not have a tissue, cough and sneeze into your sleeve. Wash your hands often, especially after coughing, sneezing or using the bathroom. If you do not have access to water, use alcohol-based hand gel. Adults and children should stay home from work and school when sick.

For more information on good health manners and educational materials, visit Public Health’s Stop Germs web page: www.metrokc.gov/health/stopgerms. Residents and organizations of King County can order Stop Germs posters in seven languages.

Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.

# # #