Durham, N.C. – The Durham County Health Department will begin to offer seasonal influenza vaccinations to both adults and children on September, 28, 2009. Seasonal influenza vaccinations will be offered continuously, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. until 11a.m. and 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., while vaccine supplies last. The Durham County Health Department is closed the first Wednesday afternoon of every month.

Seasonal influenza vaccine is free to recipients of Medicare Part B. The fee is $25 for adults and children that do not meet the criteria for free state-supplied vaccine. Free state-supplied influenza vaccine is available for all children six months through 18 years of age regardless of insurance status and for any uninsured, non-Medicaid patient, regardless of age who will be pregnant during the influenza season, and who is being served by Durham County Health Department in any capacity.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that children six months through eight years of age who have not received influenza vaccine in previous years, or whose first dose was in the preceding season, and who received only one dose, should receive a second dose at least four weeks after the first dose.

The CDC states that vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for the following persons who are at increased risk for severe complications from influenza, or at higher risk for influenza-related outpatient, emergency department, or hospital visits:

• All children aged six months through four years (59 months);
• All persons aged 50 years or older;
• Children and adolescents, aged six months through18 years, who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye Syndrome after influenza virus infection;
• Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
• Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary, (including asthma) or cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, neurological/neuromuscular, hematologic, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus);
• Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by Human Immunodeficiency Virus); and
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

To prevent transmission to persons identified above, vaccination is also recommended for the following persons:

• Health care providers;
• Household contacts, including children, and caregivers of children aged less than five years and adults aged 50 years or older; and
• Household contacts, including children, and caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.

The Durham County Health Department anticipates no shortage of influenza vaccines this season. Simple preventive actions can help stop the spread of flu this season and should be practiced by the public. Some of these practices include avoiding close contact with people who are sick; covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; avoiding contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth; and washing your hands often.

For the latest information regarding Durham County Health Department vaccine availability and the influenza clinics, call the Durham County Health Department Flu Shot Information Line at 919-560-7378. For individual health related questions, residents are advised to contact a primary health care provider.

Information on H1N1 influenza vaccine is available at the Public Health Department website.