Health officials advocate flu vaccine
Health Officer from St. Croix County, Wendy Kramer, said Dec. 2-8 marks National Influenza Vaccination week and encouraged Wisconsin residents to not only get a flu shot but also tell family and friends that it isn’t too late for a vaccine to protect them against the flu.
Health Officer from St. Croix County, Wendy Kramer, said Dec. 2-8 marks National Influenza Vaccination week and encouraged Wisconsin residents to not only get a flu shot but also tell family and friends that it isn’t too late for a vaccine to protect them against the flu.
An information release Kramer sent says the number of influenza cases is running significantly higher in 2012 than last year at this time.
“Wisconsin’s influenza season started early this year and we’re asking everyone to take the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) flu-vaccination pledge by getting their flu shot and encouraging others to do the same,” said Dr. Henry Anderson, State Health Officer.
State health officials have also reported an increase in flu cases this year. There have been 113 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases reported this season, compared with seven cases at this time last year. Twelve people have been hospitalized for influenza this season. There were no hospitalizations at this time last year.
The vaccine supply is ample, Anderson noted, and it is critical for older people and children to be protected. According to the CDC, everyone aged six months and older should be vaccinated.
The illness spreads via holiday travel and college students returning home. Anderson suggests that college students seek vaccinations at their campus health services prior to leaving for the holiday break.
Other options for getting vaccinated include healthcare providers, local public health departments or tribal health clinics. People can find a nearby influenza-vaccination center online at www.flu.gov.
For more information on the flu, go to the state’s web site: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/influenza/index.htm. To learn more about the flu-vaccination pledge, go online to the CDC’s web site: www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw/pledge/index.html.
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