The DeKalb County Board of Health begins flu vaccination on Monday, September 15. Getting a flu shot is the best way to reduce your chances of getting influenza, the "flu".

Influenza is a serious disease, and people of any age can get it. It can cause hospitalizations, missed days of school or work, and even death for persons with health conditions that place them at higher risk for severe illness.

"Everyone, especially those at risk, should be vaccinated yearly because the flu virus changes from year to year, and the body's immunity (natural protection that develops against a disease after a person has had that disease) doesn't always hold up when a new strain is circulating," says Dr. Stuart Brown, director of Medical Services for the Division of Personal Health Services.

In addition, Brown says that a vaccine made against one flu virus may not protect against the newer viruses. That is why the flu vaccine is updated each year to include current viruses.

The Board of Health encourages persons who are at high risk for flu, their caretakers and household members to get immunized early. People at high risk include:

• adults age 65 years and older
• residents and staff of assisted living facilities, nursing homes and
  other residential care settings
• adults and children who require regular medical follow up for chronic conditions (such as those of the heart and lungs) or who have reduced immunity or HIV infection
• children from age six months to 18 years on long-term aspirin
  therapy
• women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy
  between November and April
• health care workers in both hospital and outpatient settings, and
• persons who live with or provide home care to those in the high-
  risk groups.
  

People 50 to 64 years of age should receive the flu vaccine because 26% of this age group is at higher risk of developing flu-related complications. Students or others in institutional settings (those who reside in dormitories) should be encouraged to get vaccinated. Children age six to 24 months, and the household members of and people who care for children under age 24 months should be encouraged to get a flu shot. It is especially important that the household members and caregivers of children under six months are immunized because these very young infants cannot get a flu shot. The new recommendations to protect children should reduce the number of youngsters who are hospitalized for the flu each year. People who provide essential community service such as police, fire, EMS and school teachers should also be encouraged to get a flu shot.

In addition to being vaccinated, there are other steps that will reduce one's chances of getting the flu. Regular hand washing, keeping household surfaces clean and not sharing glasses and eating utensils are simple ways to lower one's risk.

The DeKalb County Board of Health's fee for the flu vaccine is $20. Medicare (Part B) and Medicaid cover the immunization.

For more information about the DeKalb County Board of Health's flu vaccination program and health center locations, call (404) 508-7880 or log on to www.dekalbhealth.net.