State Health Agency Recommending Targeted Use of Remaining Flu Vaccine

KDHE Asks Healthcare Providers to Assist in Redistribution

Topeka, Kansas - Like many other states, Kansas is experiencing widespread outbreaks of flu. This level of activity means that there are outbreaks of influenza or increases in cases of influenza-like illness, and recent laboratory-confirmed influenza in at least half the regions of the state.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) today recommended that all Kansas healthcare providers target their remaining supplies of the influenza vaccine to groups at the highest risk of severe complications from the flu. This recommendation was prompted by nationwide concerns that an unprecedented demand for the vaccine this year has caused a national shortage in the vaccine supply.

Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino, State Epidemiologist said remaining vaccine supplies should be targeted at persons in the following high risk groups:

• children 6 months through 23 months of age,
• persons 65 years of age and older,
• pregnant women in their second or third trimester during influenza season, and
• persons of any age with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma or weakened immune systems.

“While the fact that so many of our citizens have received the flu vaccine this year is very positive,” said Dr. Pezzino, “we want to make sure that those who need the vaccine the most can still find it. It is not too late to be vaccinated.”

Any healthcare provider or facility that has a supply of vaccine they anticipate will exceed their need are asked to contact the KDHE Immunization Program at 1-877-427-7317. Any provider or facility needing vaccine for high-risk patients should contact the same number, if they have been unable to purchase vaccine through their normal provider. This information can also be entered into an online survey on the KDHE Website at http://www.kdheks.gov/flu/redistribution.html .

KDHE will assist with redistributing vaccine supplies from providers in areas where need has dropped to providers in areas where need remains high. If additional vaccine becomes available, recommendations to restrict the vaccine to high-risk persons may be adjusted.

Epidemiologists with KDHE are also encouraging people to take several simple precautions to help guard against getting or transmitting the flu, including:

• covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing,
• washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, and
• if you have flu-like symptoms, stay home from school or work to avoid infecting others.

The latest KDHE influenza surveillance efforts show an increasing amount of flu activity throughout the state with reports of many patients with flu-like symptoms in hospital emergency rooms and doctors’ offices, as well as increased absenteeism in schools.

People in the high-risk categories should contact their health care provider if they experience flu-like symptoms.

Influenza is a viral respiratory illness marked by the sudden onset of fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. The illness is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, sending the highly contagious virus into the air.

For more information on influenza, go to http://www.kdheks.gov/flu/index.html
or http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/weekly.htm.

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