Kids' flu vaccination day planned

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

The Central District Health Department (CDHD) is joining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in recognizing the week after Thanksgiving, November 27 to Dec. 2, as National Influenza Vaccination Week.

The week is designed to highlight the importance of continuing influenza (flu) vaccination, as well as foster greater use of flu vaccine through the months of November, December and beyond.

This year, Thursday, Nov. 29, is set aside as Children's Flu Vaccination Day at the Mountain Home office of CDHD, with a focus on vaccinating high-risk children.

"As you get caught up in the holidays, the one thing you don't want to catch is the flu," CDHD Immunizations Program Manager Teresa Phillips says. "Influenza can keep you from enjoying this special time of year and a flu shot is the single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against influenza."

Each year, over 20,000 children under age 5 are hospitalized as a result of influenza. This day will help raise awareness about the value of vaccinating children--especially high-risk children--and their close contacts.

Influenza can be a serious disease, and for some, it's deadly. So it's especially important for young children, for people who are fifty or older, for pregnant women, and for anyone with a chronic health condition like asthma or heart disease or diabetes or AIDS to be vaccinated. If you live with or provide health care to someone at high risk, you should also be vaccinated.

In Mountain Home CDHD is offering walk-in flu clinics every Thursday until the supply of vaccine is gone.

For more information call the Immunizations department at 587-4407 or visit the CDHD website at www.cdhd.idaho.gov.

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