Flu Shots Available October 15th For High-Risk Individuals

Colorado Springs Flu vaccines for people at high-risk of severe illness from influenza and those who could give the flu to others at high-risk, will be avail]able at the El Paso County Department of Health & Environment, 301 S. Union Blvd., starting Tuesday, October 15, 2002. The cost is $20.00 per dose. Flu shots will be available by appointment and walk-in as shown below.

Walk In Hours   
Monday    8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8:30 a.m. -  4:00 p.m.
Thursday  8:30 a.m. -  4:00 p.m.
Friday    8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Appointment Hours
Monday   12:30 p.m. -  4:00 p.m.
Tuesday   8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Friday   12:30 p.m. -  4:00 p.m.

Clients who schedule an appointment are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to their immunization appointment. To make an appointment, call 719-578-3272. "It is important for the people at high-risk for severe illnesses from influenza to receive flu shots as a part of a fall preventive plan. It is also important for people who could give flu to others at high-risk to receive flu shots, both to protect the high-risk groups and themselves", says Diane Ashton, RN, BSN, Program Manager of the Immunization program for the El Paso County Department of Health & Environment.

People considered at high-risk include: Individuals 65 years old or older, Infants 6 months - 23 months old, Adults and children with a chronic medical condition, such as Asthma, or another lung disease, Heart disease, Diabetes, Kidney disease, Blood disease (such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia).

Individuals with immune system problems caused either by disease (such as HP! or cancer, including leukemia) or by medical treatment (such as chemotherapry or radiation therapy)
Women more than 3 months pregnant during flu seasons (typically November through March) and Infants 6 months - 18 years old and receiving long-term aspirin therapy.

People who could give flu to others at high-risk include: People who live or work in a nursing home or other chronic care facility, Health care workers (employees in hospitals, and doctors' offices; emergency response workers; people providing homecare to those at high-risk), People who live with someone in the high-risk population.

For the general population (those who are not in the categories listed above), flu vaccines will be available starting November 1, 2002 during Immunization clinic hours listed above. Cost will be $20.00 a dose.

Jenny Mercado, El Paso County Department of Health & Environment epidemiologist, says "Flu surveillance has begun and we expect to see the first cases round the middle to end of October. Generally, the number of cases peaks in February and the last cases are seen in late April or early May. Last year El Paso County had a total of 244 confirmed flu cases with the majority occurring in January and February. Of those 244 confirmed cases, 49 were in the age group of 6 months to 23 months. No cases were identified after April. Most folks who get the flu will recover in a week or so, but some such as the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, may develop life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia. In 2000, 6 adults 65+ In El Paso County died from the flu and 47 from pneumonia. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Department recommend that adults 65 and over receive an annual flu shot and a one-time pneumonia vaccination". "If vaccine remains available, it is not too late to receive an influenza vaccine into December and January, since our peak "flu season" usually occurs February into March", added Diane Ashton.

This is the first year appointment hours are offered during flu season, Effective May 2003, immunizations will be given only on an appointment basis. For more information, please visit El Paso County Department of Health & Environment's web site at www.elpasocountyhealth.org or call 719-578-3215.

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