by Amanda Mayle | Oct 22, 2019 | flu, flu season, flu shot, flu vaccine, influenza
The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu. A yearly flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. The vaccine is extremely effective in preventing severe flu illness and can reduce the risk of hospitalization due to flu.
For Parents, Pregnant Women, and Caregivers
- Flu can be dangerous for children. Complications from flu include pneumonia, dehydration, sinus problems, and ear infections. Complications can lead to death.
- Parents and adults who supervise children under the age of 5 years of age should get a flu vaccine.
- The flu spreads mainly by droplets made when people with the virus cough, sneeze or talk. People with flu can spread it to others up to 6 feet away.
- Call your health care provider if your child develops flu symptoms, they may prescribe antiviral drugs, depending on the specific symptoms and circumstances.
- Pregnant women and women up to 2 weeks after the end of pregnancy are at high risk from the flu.
- The flu shot is safe and recommended during pregnancy.
- Pregnant women who get a flu vaccine are also helping to protect their babies from flu illness for the first several months after their birth when they are too young to get vaccinated.
For Individuals
- Be sure to get your flu shot before the end of October. Remember that it takes two weeks for the vaccine to offer full protection.
- MCPH Clinic has flu vaccine available.
- A flu shot is the first step to prevent influenza but you should also:
- Avoid close contact.
- Cover your mouth and nose.
- Clean your hands frequently, and use soap and water whenever possible.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Routinely clean frequently touched objects at work and home including doorknobs, keyboards, and phones to help remove germs.
- Stay home if you get sick. Germs spread easily at child care, school, and work, so it’s best to stay home when you’re not feeling well.
For Providers
- Promptly report hospitalizations due to flu, pediatric flu deaths, or any suspected outbreak due to flu to Mesa County Public Health at 970-254-4120.
- Offer flu vaccine to your patients and encourage patients to be vaccinated by the end of October.
- Stay up-to-date on community flu activity by reviewing real-time community flu data on our website, https://health.mesacounty.us/flu-meter.
Mesa County Public Health’s clinic offers the influenza vaccine and serves all patients regardless of ability to pay. Walk-ins welcome.
Flu Clinic Information (new date added)
- When: Saturday, October 26th from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. (open to all ages)
- Where: 510 29 ½ Road
- What to bring: ID and insurance card
- Questions? Call 970-248-6900
To read more about the 2018-2019 flu season in Mesa County click here.
by Amanda Mayle | Oct 10, 2019 | flu, flu season, flu shot, flu vaccine, influenza
Early Season Highlights Importance of Flu Vaccine
Mesa County has its first hospitalized influenza case in an adult male over the age of 55. The hospitalization comes significantly earlier in the season compared to the 2018-19 flu season which didn’t see a hospitalization until November.
“We are seeing flu circulating in the community,” Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) Executive Director, Jeff Kuhr says. “A flu shot is your best protection against the severe complications that can come with the virus.” Influenza killed about 61,000 people in the United States during the 2018-19 season down from a record 80,000 the season prior.
The 2018-19 MCPH Influenza Report outlines local data and some key takeaways from last season. One of the most striking takeaways was that Mesa County experienced a more severe flu season than Colorado and the United States with an extended period in February of higher rates of hospitalization.
Flu season begins in October and goes through the beginning of May. “The early flu activity is noteworthy, but not necessarily an indication of how severe of a season we can expect this year,” explains Kuhr. “It’s an important reminder that now is the time to get your flu shot.” It takes two weeks for the vaccine to be fully effective, so MCPH recommends getting a flu shot by the end of October.
Mesa County Public Health’s clinic offers the influenza vaccine and serves all patients regardless of ability to pay. Walk-ins welcome.
Flu Clinic Information
- When: Saturday, October 19th from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. (open to all ages)
- Where: 510 29 ½ Road
- What to bring: ID and insurance card
- Questions? Call 970-248-6900
To read more about the 2018-2019 flu season in Mesa County click here.
by Amanda Mayle | Oct 10, 2019 | flu, flu season, flu shot, flu vaccine, influenza
117 hospitalizations during unusually long 2018-2019 flu season
Mesa County saw a longer than usual influenza, or flu, season last year. The season was unique in that it had two waves of flu that impacted residents, including a change in the dominant strain of the virus, midway through the season.
In total 117 people were hospitalized during the 2018-2019 season, which was down from the previous year. During the record 2017-2018 season, there were 232 people in Mesa County hospitalized with the flu.
As part of our continuing effort to use data to inform decisions and policy, Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) has compiled the 2018-2019 Influenza Report. The report outlines not only the number of cases and demographic information but also includes some key takeaways, and public health recommendations, such as the need for expanded access to primary care to reduce the number of emergency department visits due to influenza. Other public health recommendations in the report are to:
- Bolster Mesa County’s healthcare system to be better prepared for a severe flu season by enhancing cross-sector partnerships and further improving infection prevention efforts throughout the county
- Provide public education on the seasonal flu shot, especially to at-risk groups (pregnant women, adults over 65 years, and anyone with an underlying medical condition).
Mesa County Public Health is also working to inform our community about influenza. The ‘stomach flu’ is oftentimes used in casual conversation to describe the flu. In reality, influenza is a respiratory illness. Symptoms typically include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue and muscle or body aches. Sometimes, nausea is associated with the influenza virus, but it’s more common in children than adults.
An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against the flu. Among adults in Mesa County, about 40% report getting their annual flu shot. The Healthy People 2020 goal is for 70% of adults to report receiving the yearly flu vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. Mesa County Public Health’s clinic offers the influenza vaccine and serves all patients regardless of ability to pay. Walk-ins welcome.
Flu Clinic Information
- When: Saturday, October 19th, 2019, from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. (open to all ages)
- Where: 510 29 ½ Road
- What to bring: ID and insurance card
- Questions? Call 970-248-6900
