Northern Kentucky Health Department

For Immediate Release

Contact: Emily Gresham Wherle

Public Information Administrator

859.344.5470

December 6, 2011

Free Flu Vaccine Offered for Adults Age 18 to 64

The vaccination, done with a smaller needle, is encouraged as part of
National Influenza Immunization Week, Dec. 4-10

Most of us probably don’t need one more task added to our holiday-season to-do list, but then most of us also don’t want to be sidelined with the flu through the holiday season. Adding a trip to Northern Kentucky Health Department for a free flu vaccine that doesn’t involve a large needle may be well worth it.

Starting today, the Health Department will be administering the FluZone intradermal vaccine for free to adults age 18 to 64. Appointments are required, and can be made by calling one of four county health centers:

· Boone County Health Center, 7505 Burlington Pike, Florence, Ky., 859.363.2060

· Campbell County Health Center, 1098 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859.431.1704

· Grant County Health Center, 234 Barnes Road, Williamstown, Ky., 859.824.5074

· Kenton County Health Center, 2002 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 859.431.3345

“The intradermal vaccine is new this year, but has considerable advantages,” said Lynne M. Saddler, MD, MPH, District Director of Health. “It’s injected into the top layer of the patient’s skin, rather than the muscle. Because it doesn’t go into the muscle, you don’t get the soreness that often occurs with the traditional flu shot. The vaccine goes into the top layer of skin, some itching and redness at the site is common, but goes away in a couple days. The needle used is tiny - 90 percent smaller, feeling more like a pin prick. The intradermal vaccine is a great new option for those people who may be hesitant to get vaccinated for flu each year because they are afraid of needles, and the price—free—can’t be beat.”

The intradermal vaccine contains the same formulation as traditional intramuscular flu shots, and has been shown to have similar rates of effectiveness. Unlike the nasal spray flu vaccine or FluMist, the intradermal vaccine can be given to adults with chronic illnesses and pregnant women.

Children may also be able to receive free vaccine as well. Through the federal Vaccines for Children program, the Health Department will administer traditional intramuscular flu vaccine to children under age 18 without insurance or Medicaid or whose insurance does not cover the vaccine.

Flu activity in Northern Kentucky and nationwide has been sporadic so far this season, with only 10 cases in adults reported in Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton Counties to date. However, flu cases typically increase around mid-December and continue through February and March.

“Influenza season is long and unpredictable,” said Saddler. “National Influenza Immunization Week is held each December for that reason-- vaccination in December should still offer protection from the dangerous complications of flu. If you haven’t already been vaccinated, please consider doing so—whether at the Health Department, your health care provider or a local pharmacy.”

All forms of the vaccine will provide protection against the swine flu (H1N1) strain and two others expected to circulate this flu season—a H3N2 virus and a type B virus.

Influenza is a serious disease that results in tens of thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations every year. The classic symptoms include sudden onset of chills, fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, dry cough and extreme fatigue. Children who develop flu symptoms should not be treated with aspirin, as it can lead to Reye’s Syndrome.

For more information on the flu, please visit http://www.nkyhealth.org/flu

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