By HUNTER BISHOP By HUNTER BISHOP ADVERTISING Tribune-Herald Staff Writer A new flu season is fast approaching and now’s as good a time as any to get a flu shot. The flu season begins in October and ends in May,
By HUNTER BISHOP
Tribune-Herald Staff Writer
A new flu season is fast approaching and now’s as good a time as any to get a flu shot.
The flu season begins in October and ends in May, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but this year’s vaccine is already being shipped and some Big Island businesses are now offering vaccinations to the public.
A vaccination is the best possible protection against the virus, said state Epidemiologist Dr. Sara Park.
Almost everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccination, the CDC recommends. Flu deaths in children alone ranged from a low of 46 up to 153 deaths per year from 2003-2011. Children have a higher risk of getting the flu because their immune systems are still developing, and each year, 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized with the flu, according to the CDC.
But all people, no matter their age or overall health, have at least some risk of developing severe and even fatal flu infections. This years’s vaccine protects against a different strain of the flu virus, H3N2 (Victoria), in addition to protection against the H1N1 and Influenza B viruses. Shipments of the 2012-2013 vaccine will continue to be distributed throughout the flu season, the CDC said.
Health officials advise people not to wait to get their flu shots because the virus may not wait for the start of the season.
On Monday, Safeway announced that all its Hawaii pharmacies are now offering in-store flu shots. The Foodland pharmacy in Waimea and Shiigi Drugs in Hilo also are offering flu shots this year. Longs Drugs also will be providing flu shots, but not all Longs stores contacted on Friday had received their shipment of the vaccine yet. Appointments aren’t necessary at any of the locations, but it’s advisable to call first to find out the current availability of the vaccine, insurance coverage and costs.
Park also touted the Health Department’s “Stop Flu in School” program. More than 300 public and private schools in the state participated in the flu shot program last year. Park expects at least as many schools to take part this year when for the first time private health care providers in Hawaii are partnering with the state and providing funds for the program. All students are eligible although the program is voluntary and the consent of a parent or legal guardian is needed. Last year, more than 90 percent of Hawaii’s schools participated and 69,000 students received flu vaccinations.
Other important prevention measures are frequent and thorough washing of the hands, and keeping your hands away from your face. “The worst problem occurs when children with symptoms go to school, or adults go to work, and share their flu with classmates and co-workers,” Park said. “Don’t spread your germs around.”
One of the most common questions about the virus concerns the vaccine’s safety. “As far as the science goes, the clinical studies, it’s safe,” Park said. “It’s not 100 percent — nothing is — but it’s the best method of prevention.”
Just don’t forget to wash your hands, too. “If nothing else, it’s the next best thing,” Park said. But getting a vaccination does not mean you don’t have to wash your hands, or that washing your hands means you shouldn’t be vaccinated. Park said hand washing is always important, but there is no one surefire prevention method. “When it comes to infectious disease, it’s lining up all the shields. You can’t just rely on one thing.”
Maintaining good general health, eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, washing hands, covering your coughs and staying home when you aren’t well are all important and effective, in addition to the vaccine, in avoiding the flu, Park said.
Email Hunter Bishop at hbishop@awaiitribune-herald.com.
