Flu vaccines nothing to sneeze at

LEWISPORTE & AREA No one likes to be sick and the annual influenza immunization is one way to be proactive in looking after you own health and the well being of those around you.

Dr. Anne Roberts MD is the medical officer of health with Central Health. She was at the Porte Building in Lewisporte on Oct. 24 to speak to staff there about the flu immunizations and results of a survey amongst staff of Central Health.

Dr. Roberts shared information on just what the vaccine is, how it works, its effectiveness and other related information that is of benefit to anyone wondering whether or not they should have this immunization.

This year the vaccine covers three strains of the influenza virus. While exactly what virus will be present in any given year is not an exact science, to the best of the knowledge of the medical community, these are the three strains that are expected to be present this flu season.

Dr. Roberts explained that while the vaccine can help protect a person from becoming severely ill from the flu by lessening the severity, it isnt meant to be a full-fledged cure.

It is not 100 per cent effective at preventing disease but it is good at preventing disease (complications) and related deaths, said Dr. Roberts.

Occupational health nurse Shelley Woolfrey noted that during an influenza outbreak at North Haven Manor this past flu season, the difference between the people who were immunized and got sick and those who didnt have immunizations and were ill was definitely noticed.

Those people who didnt have any immunization were so ill that it was 24 to 48 hours before they could even come to the phone, said Ms. Woolfrey.

That outbreak of Influenza B at North Haven Manor ended up costing Central Health $30,000 in staffing needs and medication.



Flu and vaccine facts

Dr. Roberts noted that for someone with a healthy immune system, it is possible to be exposed to and carry an influenza virus and not become sick themselves. What this means however is that that person can still spread the virus to others such as co-workers, family and friends.

That is why Central Health is targeting staff with education and awareness sessions, because they are a key piece in keeping the people they serve healthy.

Another question Dr. Roberts addressed was what sets the flu apart from the common cold.

The flu comes on suddenly you have fever (fever rare with a cold) and are exhausted, said Dr. Roberts. A flu is incapacitating. You can have a headache that is usual with the flu and can be quite severe. There may be a slight headache with cold.

The flu drops like a curtain a great day can become awful quite quickly.

You can also search the Internet for other differences between the flu and a cold.

The flu is easily spread through airborne means by tiny droplets of respiratory secretions; direct person-to-person contact (like shaking hands); and contact with soiled articles (virus can persist in dried mucous for hours).

When Central Health employees were asked whether or not they thought the flu was a serious illness, 78 per cent of those who responded felt it was.

Dr. Roberts noted that between five to 20 per cent of the Canadian population experience influenza each year.

Of those over 75,000 people are hospitalized for flu/complications each year and 6,700 of those die. Globally, between one-quarter and half a million people die of influenza each year.

There are infection control practices that everyone can put in place such as getting the flu vaccine; droplet precaution such as covering your sneeze or cough and being aware yourself of those around you who are sick; hand hygiene (washing); using Tamiflu. Tamiflu is a prescription medicine used to prevent flu and Dr. Roberts said it is somewhat useful in treating the flu. She advises that it should not replace annual influenza vaccination.

Tamiflu will only shorten your misery by about 1.3 days out of seven, the doctor said.

One of the recommendations to Central Health staff is to put visitor restrictions to facilities for anyone who feels they may have flu symptoms. The public can help be adhering to these restrictions when put in place.

The other advice Dr. Roberts has was to try and keep yourself healthy during flu season (generally from January to April/May), even if you are vaccinated by getting the proper amount of sleep, eating right and exercising.

Dr. Roberts also provided details of the 2007-08 Community Flu Vaccine Administration for Central Health.

For infants six months to 23 months there were 80 per cent immunized (one dose) and 40 per cent (two does). With children this age they need doses for the immunization to be effective and Central Health will be working this year on having a better return rate for young children receiving the second dose.

For persons 65 years and older there was a 53 per cent immunization rate.

One of the misconceptions about the flu immunization is that you can get the flu from the flu vaccine. Dr. Roberts noted that in children there could be some flu-like symptoms such as fever, pain at injection site, slight headaches, aches and pains. In some people the flu vaccine may result in soreness lasting a day to two, but nothing that should interfere with a daily routine.

You can never catch the flu from the flu vaccine, said Dr. Roberts. It is inactive. It takes 14 days to make protective antibodies to the influenza virus.

If you do get ill, likely it is a cold.



Immunization clinics

Central Health public health nurses will be offering flu and pneumococcal immunization clinics starting this month.

These clinics are for people eligible under the provincial guidelines including children age six-23 months, adults aged 65 and older, people with chronic conditions such as lung disease, diabetes or cancers and essential workers such as teachers, ambulance attendants and firefighters. Dr. Roberts noted they are really trying to push flu immunizations for essential workers, that could also include police, municipal employees, oil delivery people, etc because without them things that need to be done could realistically come to a standstill.

The community clinics are set for the following:

Nov. 12 Embree Town Hall

Nov. 13 North Haven Manor Auxiliary Building

Nov. 20 Campbellton Town Hall

Nov. 25 Birchy Bay Town Hall

Nov. 27 Norris Arm Recreation Centre

Dec. 1 Browns Arm Recreation Centre

Dec. 11 Lewisporte Salvation Army

To book an appointment at one of these clinics call 535-0905 or 535-0906.

There will also be a drop in flu and pneumococcal clinic at the Lewisporte Mall on Nov. 28 in combination with a Mini Health Fair. No appointments are required at this session.

If youve had a flu immunization in the past remember that they are only effective for that flu season and yearly immunizations for the different influenza strains are required to help protect you against the flu.