Give yourself and those you love the perfect gift this holiday season—a healthy winter. December 8-14 is National Influenza Vaccination Week and the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) wants to remind all Rhode Islanders to get vaccinated against the flu. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu and stop its spread to others.
This year, for the first time, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designated specific days during this week to focus vaccination efforts on specific high-risk groups: Tuesday, December 9 is Children’s Vaccination Day. In 2007, more children died from the flu than from all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined. The median age of the 85 children who died from influenza or its complications was six. Thursday, December 11 is Senior Vaccination Day. Between 1990 and 1999, people aged 65 years and older accounted for more than 90 percent of the flu-related deaths. Friday, December 12 is Healthcare Worker Vaccination Day. Clinicians can easily spread the flu to vulnerable patients. Nationally, the healthcare worker influenza vaccination rate is only 38 percent.
Widespread influenza usually peaks between January and February, but cases can continue to occur through May. It is not too late to get a flu shot. HEALTH provides influenza vaccine for children, adolescents and adults in the state.
Each year in the United States, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from the flu. In Rhode Island, about 120 people die every year from flu or its complications.
Flu vaccine is recommended for anyone who wants to avoid getting the flu, but especially for pregnant women, children 6 months to 18 years of age, anyone age 50 or older, children and adults with chronic medical conditions, anyone who is immunocompromised and anyone who cares for or has close contact with high-risk individuals. Children younger than six months of age are too young to be vaccinated, so it is especially important for family members and childcare providers of infants to get vaccinated.
For information about where to get vaccinated, contact your healthcare provider, call 1-800-942-7434 or visit www.health.ri.gov.