KANSAS LIFTS ALL RESTRICTIONS ON FLU VACCINE
INCREASING FLU ACTIVITY REPORTED IN KANSAS

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is lifting all restrictions on flu vaccine effective immediately, making remaining stocks of vaccine available to all Kansans. Previously only those individuals with a high-risk for complications from influenza were allowed to receive the vaccine due to a shortage of vaccine nationally.

"Due to the increasing amount of vaccine arriving in the state since mid-November, as well as a decreasing demand for vaccine from the public, KDHE has determined it necessary for the remaining vaccine to be made available to anyone who wants it, based on local availability" said KDHE Secretary Roderick L. Bremby.

Some communities have more vaccine than others, and the state will continue to assist in redistributing the vaccine to areas where demand exists or changes.

"We believe it's important that the existing supplies of vaccine be available to those individuals who want it, especially now that we are moving into the typical peak of the flu season in Kansas," said Richard Morrissey, Interim KDHE Health Director. "It would appear demand for the vaccine from the high-risk population has decreased leaving unused vaccine throughout the state."

Confirmed Influenza /Increasing Flu Activity:

Influenza activity is now increasing in Kansas and KDHE has confirmed the state's first laboratory positive influenza cases of this season in south central Kansas. Three of the cases are Influenza A (H3N2), while the remaining two are Influenza B. This year's flu vaccine provides protection against Influenza A and B, which are treatable with medications. The Division of Health and Environmental Laboratories at KDHE tests viral specimens to identify specific strains and notes any changes in the strains from the initial outbreak continuing throughout the influenza season.

Increasing reports of influenza-like illness and recent rapid tests are showing activity in the north central and northeast regions of the state. This, in addition to the confirmed activity in the south central region, has resulted in the state reporting flu activity at a "regional level" for the week ending Jan. 8. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define regional activity as with increasing influenza-like illness in two or more regions, with recent confirmed activity.

Typical Flu Season Peaks in Kansas:

Although influenza is typically confirmed earlier in the season than has occurred this winter, January through March is the peak time for flu in Kansas.

"It's certainly not too late to get a flu shot, and it only takes about two weeks for the shot to become effective and begin protecting you," said KDHE Interim State Epidemiologist Dr. Gail Hansen. Hansen noted the flu vaccine is usually around 80 percent effective in preventing illness from influenza virus. This means that it is possible to get influenza after having the vaccine, however, when illness occurs symptoms are usually less severe and complications less frequent.

"It's important to remember that the flu shot cannot cause the flu," said Hansen. "Also, the vaccine is only effective for one influenza season, so yearly vaccinations are recommended for those at high risk of complications."

Early Season Vaccine Shortage:

Due to a shortage in flu vaccines nationally starting in October, CDC recommended that only high-risk individuals seek flu vaccine. Additional vaccine began arriving to health care providers around the country in mid-November following CDC's work with the remaining supplier, Aventis Pasteur, to get vaccine to providers with high-risk clients, and to distribute remaining supplies more evenly throughout the county.

In December, CDC recommended an expansion of earlier restrictions on who could get vaccine to include high-risk individuals age 50 and older as well as household contacts of high-risk individuals.

Flu Symptoms

Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness, and its symptoms include sudden onset of fever, sore throat, muscle aches, and non-productive cough. More serious illness can result if pneumonia occurs. Influenza is spread by direct contact with an infected person or by airborne droplets that produce infection when they are inhaled or ingested off the hands. Persons are most contagious during the 24 hours before they develop symptoms and are usually somewhat infectious for the next six or seven days. The incubation period, the time from when the virus enters the body until symptoms appear, is usually one to three days.

Treatment:

Treatment for uncomplicated influenza includes bed rest, adequate fluid intake, relief of cough and sore throat symptoms, and aspirin or acetaminophen to reduce fever. If you begin to feel achy and feverish with a dry cough, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of liquids, and use aspirin or acetaminophen to reduce fever. Due to the risk of Reye's Syndrome, aspirin and other medicines containing salicylate should not be given to children.

Medications are available to reduce the severity and shorten the duration of influenza, but they must be administered within 48 hours of illness onset.

Steps the public can take to avoid catching or spreading the flu:

• Proper and frequent hand washing with soap and warm water is extremely important.
• Stay home from school or work when sick.
• Cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

For more information regarding flu vaccine and steps you can take to protect yourself from the flu please go to: www.kdheks.gov.

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