[Archived] Alexandria Health Department Distributes Flu Vaccine And Urges Flu Prevention Measures

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

Nov. 17, 2004
PIO 277-04/bg

Alexandria Health Department Distributes Flu Vaccine
And Urges Flu Prevention Measures

The Alexandria Health Department has finished distributing all of the 2,450 doses of flu vaccine it has recently received. While this limited supply was not enough to offer flu shots to everyone who fell under the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) flu high risk guidelines, the Department worked closely with local medical providers and City agencies to determine the quickest and most efficient method of vaccine distribution.

Doctors at the Alexandria Health Department and throughout the Alexandria medical community were asked to identify individuals who were at greatest risk of contracting serious illnesses resulting from flu. Among those persons or groups that were identified were: elderly people with chronic medical conditions, others with serious chronic medical conditions, and healthcare workers who work with large numbers of at-risk people. Also, since many Alexandria residents see physicians that are located outside of the City’s boundaries, the Health Department has been working closely with other health departments across the region, trying to best direct those residents in search of flu shots. It is expected that nursing homes and long-term care facilities should be receiving vaccines shortly.

“Every year we recommend that high risk groups get a flu shot to help protect them from serious effects from flu,” said Charles Konigsberg, MD, MPH, Alexandria Health Director. “But this year, people who are unable to get vaccinated due to the shortfall in vaccine supply, need to consider other measures in keeping healthy. Common sense precautions to avoid germs, and spreading germs, will be critically important this winter,” Dr. Konigsberg said.

Preventative Measures to Avoid the Flu include:

• Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing; dispose of the tissue immediately and wash hands thoroughly.
• Frequently wash hands with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds.
• Rinse and dry hands with a disposable towel; use the towel to turn off the faucet.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if no soap and water are available.
• Stay home from work or school if you have flu-like symptoms.
• Refrain from visiting nursing homes if you have flu-like symptoms.
• Get proper sleep, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy diet.

For more information on influenza and the flu vaccine, log onto www.vdh.virginia.gov or www.cdc.gov.