Health Alerts » October 2004

Due to the nationwide shortage of influenza vaccine, Brady Health will only be administering the vaccine to students who fall into the high risk categories designated by the Centers for Disease Control. The following are the priority groups for vaccination with the inactivated influenza vaccine for our current students

• adults aged 65 or older
• persons 2-64 with underlying chronic medical conditions (including people who have long-term health problems with heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney diseases, metabolic disease such as diabetes and people with a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system, long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids and those having cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs)
• all women who will be pregnant during influenza season
• persons 6 months - 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy

Individuals who are health care workers providing direct patient care should also be vaccinated but if they are healthy and between the ages of 5 - 49, they would be candidates for vaccination with the live vaccine. The Allegany County Health Department hopes to have the live vaccine available for such individuals.

General measures to prevent influenza should be kept in mind by all this flu season. To help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu

• AVOID CLOSE CONTACT with people who are sick
• STAY HOME when you are sick
• COVER YOUR MOUTH AND NOSE with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
• CLEAN YOUR HANDS
  Wash frequently with soap and water and/or use the waterless alcohol based hand sanitizers especially after you blow your nose, cough or sneeze
• AVOID TOUCHING YOUR EYES, NOSE OR MOUTH
  Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

For further information please visit the following web sites or call the health center at 301-687-4310

Influenza: The Disease

Flu - What Everyone Should Know