[Archived] Alexandria Health Department Issues Guidance on the Flu Vaccine and Prevention

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 12, 2004
PIO 245-04

Alexandria Health Department
Guidance on the Flu Vaccine and Prevention

On Oct. 5, the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) was notified that none of Chiron Corporation’s influenza vaccine (Fluvirin�) would be available for distribution in the United States for the 2004–05 influenza season. The company indicated that the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom, where Chiron’s Fluvirin vaccine is produced, has suspended the company’s license to manufacture Fluvirin vaccine in its Liverpool facility for three months, preventing any release of this vaccine for this influenza season. This action will reduce by approximately one half the expected supply of trivalent inactivated vaccine (flu shot) available in the United States for the 2004–05 influenza season.

"Fortunately, we are not seeing a large number of ill residents now, but the challenge for the community will be staying healthy,” said Dr. Charles Konigsberg, Director of the Alexandria Health Department. “Eating right, getting enough rest, and frequent handwashing to keep germs and sicknesses at bay will be extremely important this Fall and Winter. Flu shots are an important tool in keeping the number of people with flu low, and now that we don't have this as an option this season, we are going to have to work even harder to stay well."

Who Should be Vaccinated?
Because of this urgent situation, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has issued interim recommendations for influenza vaccination during the 2004–05 season, based on CDC’s recommendations, outlined below. Anyone can get the flu, but there are some people that have a greater chance of getting very sick from it. We need to all work together to make sure that those people get the vaccine first.

These people should be vaccinated first:
q Children aged 6–23 months
q Adults aged 65 years and older
q Persons with underlying chronic medical conditions
q Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
q Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
q Children aged 6 months–18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
q Health-care workers involved in direct patient care
q Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children under 6 months age.

People who are not in those groups should not be vaccinated at this time. There are other ways that you can protect yourself from getting the flu and spreading germs.

• Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. Throw away the tissue immediately and wash hands thoroughly.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Rinse and dry hands with a paper towel. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet. Always wash your hands before you eat.
• When you can’t use soap and water, use an anti-bacterial hand gel.
• Wash your hands before touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Don’t share eating utensils, drinking glasses, towels or other personal items.

If you get the flu, try to avoid public places and stay home from work and/or school. Don’t visit hospitals and/or nursing homes if you are sick with the flu.

Further influenza information is available at the Virginia Department of Health’s website www.vdh.va.us and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.