Vaccine May Very Well Save Your Life
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas A. Farley received flu shots last Thursday, Oct. 25, and urged all New Yorkers to get vaccinated.
Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection that, together with pneumonia, is the third leading cause of death in New York City. Influenza season in NewYork typically starts in the winter months, peaking in January through March. Getting vaccinated before influenza transmission peaks is the best way to prevent infection from the virus and the suffering that comes with it.
“Getting the flu is no fun at all, and it can even be deadly,” said Bloomberg. “Every year, too many New Yorkers lose their lives to influenza, and the flu vaccine is the single most important protection against getting sick and spreading the flu to others. I urge everyone to go to their doctor, local health clinic or pharmacy and get a flu vaccination as soon as they can.”
“Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine every year,” addedFarley. “But for more vulnerable people, like adults 50 and older, people with medical conditions, pregnant women and children under five it is especially important to ward off coming down with influenza by getting vaccinated. While maintaining good personal hygiene-washing your hands, covering your cough, and staying home when ill-helps diminish the spread of the virus, getting the flu vaccine is the best ‘shot’ we have going to prevent flu-related death and illness.”
Influenza symptoms include high fever, dry cough, fatigue and all-over body ache. Nationally, influenza is estimated to kill an average of 23,600 people and hospitalize over 200,000 people annually.
Getting vaccinated in New York City has never been easier, Bloomberg noted. Contact your medical provider to get vaccine for children and adults. Any New Yorker 18 and over can get vaccinated at their local pharmacy and most pharmacies accept health insurance.
In addition, the city’s BigAp- pleRx discount prescription drug card offers a discount on flu vaccine. Flu vaccine is also available from Health Department Immunization clinics, and the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) offers free or low-cost vaccination at all of its hospitals and community health centers.
In 2011, about 67 percent of New Yorkers 65 and older received a flu vaccine.
While this is an increase from the previous year, when 63 percent were vaccinated, it still means that one in three people over 65 are not protected from influenza through vaccination.
Additionally, coverage rates for black New Yorkers lags behind the city average; less than six in 10 African Americans were vaccinated in 2011 (59 percent). For children under 18, only two in five received at least one dose of vaccine last year. Vaccinating children is especially important in reducing the transmission of influenza.
Anyone can find a nearby vaccine outlet by calling 311 or searching under “flu” or “Flu Clinic Locator” on www.nyc.gov.
