October 16th, 2006

HARRISBURG – Noting the record level of flu vaccine available this season, state Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson today urged Pennsylvanians – especially those in high-risk groups – to protect themselves against illness by getting a flu shot.

“Based on reports from manufacturers, we are expecting to have over 100 million doses of flu vaccine available this season – a 16 percent increase over last season,” Dr. Johnson said. “Because getting a flu shot early in the season has proven to be the most effective protection against influenza, anyone who wants a flu shot should get one.”

Each year, an estimated 36,000 individuals die from influenza-related illnesses and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized nationwide. Rates of serious illness and death are highest among persons over the age of 65 and individuals of any age who have chronic medical conditions that place them at increased risk for complications from influenza.

Vaccination efforts usually begin in October or November because it takes one or two weeks to build up immunity after receiving the flu vaccine. Flu cases traditionally peak between January and March.

Last year, Pennsylvania’s flu season began in October and peaked in early March. Although the peak activity was less intense, it remained elevated for a longer period of time compared to the previous three seasons.

The influenza vaccine is recommended for:

• All children 6-59 months of age;
• People over 50 years of age regardless of their medical history;
• Residents of long-term care facilities;
• People with underlying health conditions such as heart, respiratory, metabolic, and immune system problems;
• People with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as cerebral palsy or seizure disorders) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems;
• People with weakened immune system such as: HIV/AIDS, long-term treatment of steroids, and cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs;
• People 6 months to 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment;
• Women who will be pregnant anytime during the influenza season;
• Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children 0-59 months of age;
• Physicians, nurses, family members, or anyone else in close contacts with any of these groups at risk for influenza; and
• Anyone wishing to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill from influenza.

The Department of Health is joining other professional health care groups in emphasizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) urging that influenza immunization for health care workers must be a top priority.

Secretary Johnson is urging health care employers to provide vaccine to their employees. Only an estimated 40 percent of health care workers receive the influenza vaccination each year. Recent studies have shown that unvaccinated healthcare workers have been linked to healthcare-associated transmission of influenza in many patient populations in a variety of clinical settings.

Each year, influenza vaccines are developed using dead viruses from the expected strains. Since influenza viruses change from year to year, annual shots are required to provide protection for the coming season.

For more information on influenza, contact the Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH or visit the website at www.health.state.pa.us and click on the immunization link.

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Richard McGarvey
Department of Health
(717) 787-1783