Contact: Andrew Weisser
(818) 703-6444 aweisser@earthlink.net
or your local American Lung Association
at (800) LUNG-USA

Health Organizations Team Up to Prevent Deadly Influenza

Agencies Will Administer Nearly 200,000 Vaccinations This Fall

Editors Note: County-specific prevalence and incidence data is available through the American Lung Association.

(September 24, 1999—Greater Bay Area, California) -- With the arrival of Fall comes the cold and flu season. Everybody dreads that achy feeling of a cold coming on. But influenza can cause more than just a pain in the neck. The flu, as it is often called, is a serious infectious disease that kills thousands of Californians every year. That's why a group of health organizations have teamed up in the greater Bay Area for the fifth consecutive year to launch a public information campaign to encourage people to "Be Wise, Immunize" and get vaccinated against this year's influenza strain.

The American Lung Association of California, Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of Northern California, California Medical Review, Healthcare Financing Administration, and state and local health departments have once again joined forces to form the Flu Prevention Coalition, which encompasses 10 counties including Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Solano. Through these organizations' various clinics, which include drive-through clinics and clinics set up in supermarkets and drugstores, nearly 200,000 vaccinations will be administered this fall.

"We want to make it as convenient as possible for people to get their flu shots," said Mary Steiner, Flu and Health Monitoring Program Coordinator for the VNA. "It is especially important for the elderly and people with chronic diseases to be vaccinated against the flu."

The cost of the vaccinations vary from free to seniors covered by Medicare to $5 for vaccinations administered at county health departments to $10 for shots given by the Visiting Nurse Association at area stores.

For healthy adults and children, the flu is typically a moderately severe illness. But to the elderly and those with a chronic illness, the flu can be deadly. Flu and pneumonia combined are the fifth leading cause of death among all Americans over the age of 65.

Flu and pneumonia, the most common complication of the flu, kill nearly 80,000 Americans every year. In California, 10,508 died from the flu and pneumonia in 1993. In 1995, the estimated prevalence and incidence data for influenza in California indicate that it affected more than 13.2 million people out of a population of 31.6 million. (Source: American Lung Association: Estimated Prevalence and Incidence of Lung Disease by Lung Association Territory, April, 1999.)

The flu can also take a heavy toll financially. In 1994, there were 90 million estimated cases of influenza nationwide, resulting in 170 million bed days at a cost to our nation of more than $14 billion. That's why even healthy individuals who don't want to miss a lot of days from work may be interested in getting their flu shots.

Influenza is a contagious lung disease caused by a virus. When someone who has the flu sneezes, coughs, or even talks, the flu virus is expelled into the air and can be inhaled by anyone close by. The flu can be transmitted by direct hand contact as well. But you can greatly reduce your chances of contracting the flu by getting a simple vaccination.

The best time to get a flu shot is mid-September through the end of November, before the peak of the influenza season. The amount of antibodies in the body is greatest one or two months after the vaccination, and then gradually declines. The vaccination is made each year so that it contains the influenza virus strains that are expected to cause illness that year. The virus is killed or inactivated, so you can't get the flu from getting a vaccination. However, those allergic to eggs could suffer adverse reactions and should talk to their doctors before getting a flu shot.

Influenza is a respiratory disease, but it affects the entire body. Symptoms include fever, chills, weakness, loss of appetite, and aching of the head, back, arms and legs. The flu sufferer may also have a sore throat, cough, and nausea.

When flu strikes the lungs, the lining of the respiratory tract is damaged. The tissues become swollen and inflamed. Fortunately, the damage is rarely permanent, and most people are back on their feet in a week or two.

However, the elderly and those with chronic illness are at high risk of developing serious complications from the flu. Those considered at high risk are anyone who has chronic lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis or cystic fibrosis; heart disease; chronic kidney disease; diabetes or other chronic metabolic disorders; or severe anemia. Also, anyone who has a disease—or is undergoing treatment—that depresses immunity, those residing in nursing homes or other residential care facilities, and anyone over the age of 65 should get a flu vaccination.

Through the Flu Prevention Coalition, it will be easy to get your flu shot this year.

For more information about influenza, or to find the clinic nearest you, call 1-800-LUNG-USA to be automatically connected with your nearest American Lung Association office or the toll-free flu hotline at 1-800-500-2400. For additional information, people can also visit the following web sites: www.californialung.org or www.vnahnc.org

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