Health News
- First Two Cases Of Flu Reported In Ky.; Time To Get Your Vaccine
Flu season in Kentucky typically begins in October or November, and is right on schedule as state public health officials have reported the first two confirmed cases of the season in Jefferson and Kenton counties. Public-health officials are encouraging...
- Kentucky Has Recorded 26 Flu-related Deaths, Mostly Seniors, And 64 Outbreaks At Long-term-care Facilities; Get Vaccinated!
Kentucky has reported 26 influenza-related deaths and 64 flu outbreaks in long-term care facilities as of Jan. 8 after five consecutive weeks of widespread flu activity, and is only halfway through the flu season, which runs from October through May,...
- Five Myths About Flu Shots, Explored And Debunked
Myths about the influenza vaccine circulate every year and make it difficult for some to decide whether to get the shot, Tom Watkins reports for CNN. This prompted him to look at five of the most common myths and presents the "truth based on information...
- First Flu Case Reported In Kentucky; Vaccination Recommended For Everyone Over 6 Months Old, Especially Some Groups
Kentucky's first positive lab-confirmed case of the flu has been reported in Jefferson County this week, according to the state Department for Public Health. The best way to protect against the flu is to receive a flu vaccine, and it's best...
- Flu Vaccine Recommended For All Over 6 Months; Pneumonia Vaccine Recommended For Those 65 And Older And At High Risk
Vaccination is the best way to keep from getting the flu, and with two influenza cases already reported in Kentucky, now is the time to schedule your annual flu shot, says the state Department for Public Health. Kentucky's flu season typically...
Health News
If you haven't gotten your flu shot yet, this week is an excellent time to get it, with the holidays coming up
State health officials are encouraging Kentuckians to get a flu vaccination during National Influenza Vaccination Week, Dec. 7-13.
"Getting a flu vaccine is an early holiday gift you can give to yourself and your family,? said Dr. Stephanie Mayfield, commissioner of the Department for Public Health. ?As the holidays approach, people will be traveling, and families will gather together, increasing the potential for exposure to the flu. We are strongly urging anyone who hasn?t received a flu vaccine, particularly those at high risk for complications related to the flu, to check with local health departments or other providers.?
National Influenza Vaccination Week is a reminder to those people who have not yet received a flu vaccine that the time to get vaccinated continues into winter ? through January or later, when flu season typically peaks. Because it takes about two weeks for the body to develop protective antibodies against the flu following vaccination, Kentuckians who have not had a chance to be vaccinated should seek out the opportunity during this season.
Throughout the week, health departments and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will highlight the importance of vaccinations for those people at high risk, their close contacts and all those who want to be protected against the flu. In addition, good health habits such as washing hands often with soap and warm water; avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth; and staying at home from work or school when sick will also be emphasized.
Kentucky?s flu activity level has recently increased to regional, which indicates an upturn in influenza-like illness or outbreaks of flu in some regions of the state.
The best way to protect against the flu is to receive a flu vaccination. The CDC?s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends flu vaccine for all individuals 6 months of age and older. People who should especially receive the flu vaccine because they may be at higher risk for complications or negative consequences include:
? Children ages 6 months through 18 years;
? Pregnant women;
? People 50 years old or older;
? People of any age with chronic health problems;
? People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities;
? Pregnant women;
? People 50 years old or older;
? People of any age with chronic health problems;
? People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities;
? Health care workers;
? Caregivers of or people who live with a person at high risk for complications from the flu; and
? Out-of-home caregivers of or people who live with children less than 6 months old.
? Caregivers of or people who live with a person at high risk for complications from the flu; and
? Out-of-home caregivers of or people who live with children less than 6 months old.
Kentuckians should receive a new flu vaccination each season for optimal protection. Healthy, non-pregnant people ages 2 through 49 can be vaccinated with either the flu shot or the nasal vaccine spray. Children younger than 9 years old who did not receive a previous seasonal flu vaccination should receive a second dose at least four weeks after their first vaccination.
High-dose flu vaccine is available for persons aged 65 years and older this year.
The CDC says some of the nation?s circulating flu viruses may not be covered well by this year?s vaccine. That is not unusual. "Despite the possibility of a poor vaccine match for one of the circulating strains, vaccination still provides the best protection against influenza," a state news release said. "The vaccine appears to be a good match for many of the strains which are being transmitted, and because of antibody cross-protection, should help to reduce hospitalizations and deaths, even in persons who may contract the mismatched strain of influenza."
In addition to flu vaccine, the health department strongly encourages all adults 65 years and older and others in high risk groups to ask their health care provider about the pneumococcal vaccines. These vaccines can help prevent a type of pneumonia that is one of the flu?s most serious and potentially deadly complications. The CDC now recommends that adults 65 years or older receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13, Prevnar-13) in addition to the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23, PneumoVax-23). Getting both vaccines offers the best protection against pneumococcal disease. Between 3,000 and 49,000 deaths are attributed to flu and pneumonia nationally each year, with more than 90 percent of those deaths occurring in people age 65 and older.
- First Two Cases Of Flu Reported In Ky.; Time To Get Your Vaccine
Flu season in Kentucky typically begins in October or November, and is right on schedule as state public health officials have reported the first two confirmed cases of the season in Jefferson and Kenton counties. Public-health officials are encouraging...
- Kentucky Has Recorded 26 Flu-related Deaths, Mostly Seniors, And 64 Outbreaks At Long-term-care Facilities; Get Vaccinated!
Kentucky has reported 26 influenza-related deaths and 64 flu outbreaks in long-term care facilities as of Jan. 8 after five consecutive weeks of widespread flu activity, and is only halfway through the flu season, which runs from October through May,...
- Five Myths About Flu Shots, Explored And Debunked
Myths about the influenza vaccine circulate every year and make it difficult for some to decide whether to get the shot, Tom Watkins reports for CNN. This prompted him to look at five of the most common myths and presents the "truth based on information...
- First Flu Case Reported In Kentucky; Vaccination Recommended For Everyone Over 6 Months Old, Especially Some Groups
Kentucky's first positive lab-confirmed case of the flu has been reported in Jefferson County this week, according to the state Department for Public Health. The best way to protect against the flu is to receive a flu vaccine, and it's best...
- Flu Vaccine Recommended For All Over 6 Months; Pneumonia Vaccine Recommended For Those 65 And Older And At High Risk
Vaccination is the best way to keep from getting the flu, and with two influenza cases already reported in Kentucky, now is the time to schedule your annual flu shot, says the state Department for Public Health. Kentucky's flu season typically...