KDHE Home - News 1999 - News Release

Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary

October 1, 1999

Contact: Don Brown, 785-296-1529

Be Prepared for Flu Season

Flu season is upon us once again. You can greatly reduce your chances of catching the flu by receiving this year's vaccine from your family physician or local health department.

"It normally takes a couple of weeks for someone to build up their immunity as a result of the flu shot, so October through November is the best time to get the vaccine," says Director of Epidemiology Dr. Gail Hansen of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). "The virus constantly changes and immunity to the virus fades over time, so a vaccine should be taken every year."

The flu season typically runs from late October through April in Kansas, according to Hansen.

The flu vaccine is especially recommended for:

- people 65 years of age and older;

- those with long-term heart or lung problems;

- residents of nursing homes, and other institutions housing patients who have serious long-term health problems;

- people who have kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, anemia, severe asthma, cancer or immunologic disorders, and other medical conditions for which they are under the close supervision of a doctor;

- doctors, nurses, hospital staff, nursing home employees, visiting nurses, and anyone else who may transmit influenza to people in high risk groups.Hansen says that when you get your flu shot, it's also a good idea to receive the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine. For most people, the pneumonia vaccine is effective for the rest of their lives. The department recommends this vaccine for persons two years and older in these high-risk groups: - persons with chronic diseases or conditions (heart, lung, alcoholism, liver or diabetes);

- persons who are 65 or older;

- immuno-compromised adults (kidney diseases, certain cancers and related

conditions, HIV infection, or organ transplant conditions);

- persons with no spleen or no functional spleen;

- persons living in special environments or settings with an identified increased risk

of pneumonia (certain Native American populations).Hansen says that contrary to popular belief, vaccines very rarely make people sick -- you are far more likely through contract a disease through normal means if you are not vaccinated.

Anti-viral drugs are available that may reduce the risk of acquiring influenza and shorten the course of the disease. The drugs, including zamanivir, rimantadine, and amantadine may be most useful for preventing disease in people who cannot take the vaccine, but they are not expected to replace the vaccine.

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