February 5, 2004
HONOLULU – Because Hawaii’s flu
season hit much earlier than usual this year, some people think that
the flu season has already passed. Wrong! Last year, Hawaii’s flu season peaked in
February/March. Influenza in Hawaii is seen year-round, and often there
is a second wave of activity with different flu strains
circulating.
In a satellite broadcast on Influenza,
Dr. Walter Orenstein, Director of the National Immunization Program,
stated: "Influenza causes severe morbidity and mortality. It causes
more deaths than prostate cancer …more deaths than AIDS
annually, and we have a simple intervention – a vaccination." And
since our flu season is far from over, it’s not too late to
protect yourself and your loved ones with the flu vaccine.
Free flu shots are now available
at Department of Health clinics statewide for any person who
wishes to avoid getting the flu. Individuals who wish to avoid
complications from the flu should get vaccinated now. If your
doctor doesn’t have flu vaccine, he/she can refer you to a
Department of Health clinic for a flu shot. If you do not have a doctor
or insurance to cover the flu shot, call 2-1-1, a free call from any
island, to locate a flu shot clinic in your neighborhood.
Another option for those of you who are
healthy and between the ages of 5-49 years, is the new nasal spray flu
vaccine (FluMistJ ). If your
doctor does not have the nasal spray flu vaccine available,
visit www.flumist.com to find a
doctor with FluMistJ in your
area.
You need to get a flu shot annually
because the flu viruses change from year to year. Also, since the
vaccine protects against three types of flu viruses, even if you think
you already had the flu this year, being immunized may prevent you from
getting sick again with a different strain of flu virus. One thing is
for sure: if you wind up getting the flu this year, you’ll wish
you had taken this opportunity to get the flu shot this
season!
For more information about the flu,
visit www.vaxhawaii.com.
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For more information,
contact:
Judy Strait-Jones
Department of Health, Immunization Program
Public Health Educator
Phone: (808) 586-8321
Email: Judy.Strait-Jones@mail.health.state.hi.us
Janice Okubo
Department of Health
Phone: (808) 586-4442
Email: jokubo@mail.health.state.hi.us
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