Commonwealth Conversations: Public Health

Got Asthma? Live with Someone who Has Asthma? Get a Flu Shot!

 Posted by Donna Lazorik, RN, MS. Donna is the Immunization Coordinator in the Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

If you or someone you live with has asthma, you’re probably familiar with the wheezing, loss of breath and coughing that can come with it.  But did you know that getting the flu can make asthma worse?  It can even land a person with asthma in the hospital.  This is true even if the asthma is mild or controlled by medicine. 

Why is this?  People with asthma have swollen and sensitive airways.  Getting the flu can cause the airways and lungs to become even more swollen, which can trigger asthma attacks and a worsening of asthma symptoms.  It can also lead to pneumonia.  Asthma is one of the most common medical conditions among adults and kids who have to be hospitalized with the flu. 

Vaccination is the best way to protect against flu.  The flu shot (rather than the nasal spray vaccine) should be given to people with asthma who are 6 months and older.  Tell your doctor if you have any severe (life-threatening) allergies, including a severe allergy to eggs. Although allergic reactions to the influenza vaccine are rare, a severe allergy to any vaccine component may be a reason not to get the vaccine. Also, because of the risk of developing pneumonia from the flu, a pneumonia (pneumococcal) shot is also recommended. 

If you do not have asthma, but someone you live with does, you should still get a flu shot - keep your loved one and yourself healthy.    

The flu vaccine is widely available.  Even if you don’t have a regular doctor or nurse, you can get vaccinated.  Flu vaccines are offered in many locations including doctor’s offices, local health departments and pharmacies.  The best time to get vaccinated is before flu season starts (in other words, now) and before people around you start becoming sick or ill.  The flu vaccine is safe, effective and can’t give you the flu. 

If you have questions about the flu or flu vaccine, please contact the Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at (617) 983-6800.  To find out where you can get flu vaccine, talk with your doctor or visit http://flu.masspro.org to find a flu clinic near you. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weekly Flu Report, November 25, 2011

As Word doc: Download Weekly_flu_report_11-25-11 As PDF: Download Weekly_flu_report_11-25-11

This week's flu report shows that the flu activity level in the state is still sporadic. This is about normal for this time of flu season, but we can expect that these rates will climb steadily as we head into winter. There's no better time to get a flu vaccine than right now -- so please take a few minutes to make an appointment with your health care provider, or you can search for a flu clinic near you at this searchable online database.

Weekly Flu Report, November 17, 2011

As Word doc: Download Weekly Flu Report 11 17 2011   As PDF: Download Weekly Flu Report 11 17 2011

This week's flu report shows that flu-like illness in the state continues to be mild. This is about normal for this time of flu season, but we can expect that these rates will climb steadily as we head into winter. There's no better time to get a flu vaccine than right now -- so please take a few minutes to make an appointment with your health care provider, or you can search for a flu clinic near you at this searchable online database.

Weekly Flu Report, November 10, 2011

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This week's flu report shows that we continue to see relatively low amounts of flu-like illness in the state. This is to be expected at this time of the season. However, we can expect that these numbers will begin to rise in the not-very-distant future -- so there's no time like the present to get a flu shot to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy this flu season. There's more vaccine available this year than ever before, and you can find yours by calling your health care provider, or by searching this online flu clinic database for community-based flu clinics in your area.

Flu Prevention and the African-American Community

 Posted by Donna Lazorik, RN, MS. Donna is the Immunization Coordinator in the Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

The flu can make anyone sick, but for people with long-term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease, flu can be much more serious. African-Americans are more likely to live with these chronic conditions – which is why it’s especially important for them to get vaccinated against the flu.

Yet every year we see lower rates for flu vaccination among African-Americans than their white and Hispanic counterparts. We’re working hard to change this, by letting people know the facts about how safe and effective the flu vaccine is.

First, health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say a flu vaccine is the first and best way to guard against the flu – and they recommend that everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine every year.

So why are some people reluctant to get vaccinated against the flu?

Is the flu vaccine safe?

Yes. Both seasonal flu vaccines (the flu shot and nasal spray) have excellent safety records, and continue to be monitored for safety – year in and year out. The most common side effects reported after flu vaccination are minor, and are far outweighed by the vaccine’s benefits. Millions of flu vaccines have been given safely over the years, and vaccine safety remains a priority every single year.

Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?

It’s also important to know that the flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. Why? Because the flu shot contains killed viruses, and the nasal spray has weakened viruses that cannot cause illness. If you get flu-like symptoms soon after getting vaccinated, it can mean you may have been exposed to the flu before getting vaccinated, or during the two-week period it takes the body to gain protection after vaccination. It might also mean you are sick with another illness that causes symptoms similar to the flu.

I got my flu shot last year, so do why do I need another one this year?

When you get a flu shot, your body develops defenses against the most common flu viruses that are going around during that flu season. But those defenses eventually wear off  – which is why it’s important get the latest flu vaccine every flu season.

Remember, the flu can be especially serious for babies, children, pregnant women, people 65 and older and people with certain long-term medical conditions. However, even healthy people can get the flu and should protect themselves by getting the flu vaccine every year.

So please don’t wait – get vaccinated today! Contact your health care provider to make an appointment, or find a flu clinic in your area using this online flu clinic database.

Weekly Flu Report, November 3, 2011

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This week's flu report shows minimal levels of flu-like illness in the state. But the temperatures are falling, the clocks are moving back, and the holiday season continues to approach -- all signs that flu season will be here before we know it. Take the opportunity now to get vaccinated against the flu -- the flu vaccine is safe and effective, and there's more of it available this year than ever before. Call your health care provider to make an appointment, or visit this handy online flu clinic locator.

Weekly Flu Report, October 27, 2011

As DOC: Download Weekly_flu_report_10-27-11  As PDF: Download Weekly_flu_report_10-27-11

This week's flu report continues to indicate very low levels of flu-like illness in Massachusetts. That's normal for this early in the flu season -- but that will change before you know it. Take the opportunity now to get vaccinated against the flu, either at your health care provider or at any of the flu clinic locations listed on this online database. Flu can be serious -- get your flu shot today.

Weekly Flu Report, October 20, 2011

As Word doc: Download Weekly_flu_report_10-20-11  As PDF: Download Weekly_flu_report_10-20-11

Today, we begin posting the Weekly Flu Report that's produced by our team of epidemiologists at the Hinton State Laboratory Institute throughout flu season. The goal of each weekly report is to provide detailed information on the impact of flu in our communities, as flu season continues. The documents look at flu from a variety of perspectives. What strains of flu are we seeing? How are flu rates varying between regions of the state? How does this flu season compare to previous years? You'll find the answers by clicking either of the links above.

To get the ball rolling, this week's flu report shows very low rates of flu-like illness in the state. This is entirely in keeping with what we usually see in Massachusetts so early in the flu season. Don't be fooled, though -- we can expect these rates to rise in the coming months. The most effective way to keep yourself and your family healthy this flu season is to get vaccinated against the flu. The flu vaccine is safe, effective, and in more plentiful supply this year than ever before.

Call your health care provider to make an appointment, or use this handy online flu clinic locator to find flu vaccination opportunities in your area. And in the meantime, we'll see you back here next week!

Got Diabetes? Get Vaccinated Against the Flu!

 Posted by Donna Lazorik, RN, MS. Donna is the Immunization Coordinator in the Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Whether it’s type 1 or type 2, well-managed or uncontrolled – diabetes and the flu don’t mix well.

When people with diabetes get the flu they have a higher risk of complications like hospitalization and even death.  Why is this?  Diabetes can make the immune system less able to fight the influenza virus that causes the flu.  In addition, sometimes people don’t feel like eating when they are sick.  It may be difficult to maintain a regular diet or medication regimen, and this can cause blood sugar levels to rise or fall.  Flu infection itself can also raise blood sugars.  Even people whose diabetes is well controlled need to have a plan to manage their condition when they are sick.

Vaccination is the best protection against flu.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people with diabetes who are six months and older get a flu shot every year. (It’s important to note that the nasal spray flu vaccine should not be given to people with diabetes.)  People with diabetes are also at increased risk of developing pneumonia from the flu, therefore a pneumonia (pneumococcal) vaccine is also recommended and should be part of a diabetes management plan. 

We saw the impact of flu on people with diabetes during the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic – one in four patients with diabetes who were hospitalized for flu required intensive care.  While these data are alarming, it sends the message that people with diabetes need to protect themselves against the flu.

The best time to get vaccinated is before flu season starts (in other words, now) and before people around you start becoming sick or ill.  The flu vaccine is safe and effective.  In fact, it has been shown to reduce the number of hospitalizations and deaths in people with diabetes.

If you have questions about the flu or flu vaccine, visit www.mass.gov/flu or contact the Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at (617) 983-6800.  To find out where you can get a flu shot, talk with your health care provider or visit http://flu.masspro.org to find a flu clinic near you.  

Flu Season is Right Around the Corner – Get Vaccinated Today!

 Posted by Donna Lazorik, RN, MS. Donna is the Immunization Coordinator in the Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Don’t let the warm temperatures fool you – flu season will be here before you know it. The best way to protect against influenza is to get a flu vaccine before the season starts.  This is true even if you were vaccinated last season.  Health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older receive a flu vaccine every year. 

That’s because flu can be very serious – every year in Massachusetts, an average of 5,000 residents are hospitalized due to complications from the flu, resulting in up to 800 deaths.  The good news is that many of these hospitalizations and deaths are preventable.  You and your family can stay healthy this season by getting vaccinated.

This is especially important if you or someone in your family: 

• Is pregnant
• Has a chronic health condition like asthma, diabetes, or heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease
• Is immuno-suppressed
• Is very overweight
• Is 50 years of age or older.

Flu vaccination is also especially important for children younger than 5 years of age, who are at higher risk of serious flu complications if they get the flu.  For the same reason, if you’re a caregiver or household contact of children less than five years old it’s important that you get vaccinated as well.  

The flu vaccine is safe and effective, and widely available. To get a flu vaccine, you can:  

• Call your health care provider
• Contact your local health department
• Check with your local pharmacy 
• Visit the Massachusetts Flu Clinic Finder for a list of flu clinics near you. 

Think you’ve got a clue when it comes to the flu? Take the Flu I.Q. quiz and find out!

For more information about influenza, flu vaccine, and other ways that you and your family can stay healthy this flu season, please visit www.mass.gov/flu or call the Immunization Program  at (617) 983-6800.