News
In the face of increasing incidence of flu in New York, vaccine is still available and recommended
01.11.2011
According to figures from the New York State Department of Health, the influenza season is starting to take hold. As measured by the percentage of hospital emergency department visits that are for influenza-like symptoms, the highest weekly activity is on Long Island, with a January 1, 2011 weekly high of 8.98% of ED visits for flu.
While the comparable weekly activity is lower for the Rochester and Buffalo regions at 5.22%, it is on the rise.
A bout with the flu can knock a healthy person off his or her feet for a week with fatigue, fever, cough, body aches and pains. Certain segments of the population – people over age 65, children under two, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes – are at
In fact, New York's Department of Health is reporting that two children have died from influenza related illness this year and 285 patients have been reported to have been hospitalized for the flu in New York State this season. For those cases with patient age reported, the majority have been under age 4 or over age 65.
Dr. Chow notes that this year’s vaccine protects against three different viruses: the H3N2 virus, the influenza B virus, and last year’s swine flu H1N1 virus.
"Even if you received a vaccine in 2009 for both flu and swine flu, this year’s three-part vaccine – administered in a single dose – gives you the best possible protection," he adds. "Influenza viruses change each year, so the vaccines change as well."
The flu is highly contagious, spread by coughing and sneezing. While hand washing and other common sense preventative measures may help – the way they do against the common cold – "the influenza virus is just as contagious as the common cold though its symptoms are much more dramatic," says Dr. Chow. "Western New York Immediate Care has a limited supply of the vaccine on hand and our physicians and nurses are ready to administer it."
At Western New York Immediate Care, no appointment is necessary. Most insurance plans cover the cost of a flu shot. Locations are in Cheektowaga, Williamsville, Orchard Park and Amherst.
higher risk for complications from the flu, "so these people should make getting a flu vaccine a priority in their lives," says Joseph Chow, MD, medical director of Western New York Immediate Care. "Even in January, it’s not too late to get your vaccination and give yourself the best possible chance at prevention."
