WHAT IS SEASONAL OR ANNUAL FLU?

Annual flu season usually follows a predictable pattern, often arriving every year in the winter (December through March). Individuals usually have some protection built up from having had the flu before.

Healthy adults are not usually at risk for serious problems. The medical community and some businesses offer flu vaccines before and during flu season, based on known virus strains. Supplies of antiviral drugs also are available to treat people who get sick.

Common flu symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and muscle pain. Generally influenza causes a small impact on a community, with sick people staying home from work or school.

However, persons with chronic medical conditions, the elderly and the very young may be more susceptible to flu and may experience more serious illness. On average, influenza causes 36,000 deaths a year in the U.S.

What to do:

Where Can I Find a Flu Shot?

The CDC expects that there should be enough flu vaccine for anyone who wants a flu shot or Flu Mist (nasal spray) this year. Clinics and physicians are starting to vaccinate in early October.

• Alameda County Public Health Department—Current patients at the community clinics will be scheduled throughout October and November and early December. You may call 510-267-3230 or click here: Immunization Assistance Program for information. Updated Flu Vaccine 2007 Schedule
• Kaiser members—Call the Flu hotline (available in Spanish and English): 1-800-KPFLU11 or (1-800-573-5811) and state the name of the local facility you would like to visit or click here: http://www.kp.org/flu for times and locations. Kaiser will begin their clinics in mid-October.
• Private Physician—Most physicians should have no trouble having a supply of flu vaccine this year. Call your doctor for an appointment in early October.
• Sutter Visiting Nurses and Hospice—Call them or visit their website to locate a flu clinic near you. Call their FLU HOTLINE at 1-800-500-2400 or click on this link to find a clinic near you. http://suttervnaandhospice.org/services/services_flushot.html
  If you have Medicare Part B /non HMO Sutter VNA will bill Medicare for you and the shot will cost you nothing. You must have your Medicare card with you. For all others the cost is $25 for a flu shot or $35 for a pneumonia shot.
• Maxim Health Systems—Clinics begin in early October at businesses such as Walgreen’s, Costco, Safeway and Albertson’s. If you have Medicare, Part B (non HMO) Maxim will bill Medicare for you and the shot will cost you nothing. For all others the cost is $20-$25 depending on the site. Go to http://www.findaflushot.com/ to locate a clinic.

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Who is Considered "High Risk"?
If you are a member of one of the groups listed below, it is strongly suggested that you get a flu shot. The flu vaccine is made from inactivated (killed) virus. You cannot get the flu from a flu shot. After about 2 weeks your body will develop protection against these strains of flu.

• Persons 60 years or older
• All children 6-59 months old
• Residents of long term care and other chronic care facilities
• Women who will be pregnant during flu season
• Persons younger than 60 who have certain health problems such as: asthma, heart disease, diabetes or other metabolic diseases, lung disease, kidney disease, anemia and other blood disorders
• Persons who have a condition that can cause respiratory problems (such as a cognitive disorder, spinal injury, seizure disorder or neuromuscular disorder)
• Persons with a weakened immune system, including those on chemotherapy or who are HIV positive
• Children or young adults between 6 months and 18 years old who are on long term aspirin treatment
• Health care professionals who provide direct patient care
• Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children younger than 6 months

For more information, you may go to the CDC Flu website: www.cdc.gov/flu

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What is FluMist®?
FluMist® is a live weakened flu vaccine. It takes about 2 weeks for your body to develop protection against these strains of flu. Health care workers who do not work directly with severely immune compromised persons can take FluMist® if they are eligible. FluMist® is a prescribed medication and must be administered by a licensed medical professional.

Who Should Check With Their Physician Before Getting a Flu Shot?

• Anyone with a severe allergy to eggs
• Anyone who has ever had an onset of Guillain-Barré Syndrome within 6 weeks after getting a flu shot
• Anyone who has ever had a severe reaction to a flu shot
• Anyone who is moderately to severely ill with a fever

Tips to Staying Healthy
Stay home from school or work if you are not feeling well! Often people with the flu have mild symptoms and do not realize that they have the flu, but they are able to pass their illness to others.

• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, especially after going to the bathroom and before eating
• Cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze
• Use disposable tissues and throw into the garbage right away
• Get enough sleep every night
• Reduce your stress
• Eat healthfully. Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day
• Drink 6-8 glasses of water everyday
• Get 30-60 minutes of exercise each day
• Stay away from sick people

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Resources
Website links:

• Alameda County Public Health: Immunization Assistance Program
• Alameda County Public Health: Pandemic Flu Information
• Alameda County Public Health: Bird Flu Information
• Centers for Disease Control: Influenza updates

Checklist

• California Department of Health Services: Ways to Protect Yourself from Flu & Pandemic Flu

Contact us: 

Immunization Assistance Program
Division of Communicable Disease Control & Prevention
1000 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 267-3230

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