Release #491-98

Contact: Colleen Roche/Brenda P‚rez (212) 788-2958
Sandra Mullin (DOH) (212) 788-5290
Helene Wolf (DFTA) (212) 442-1111

"The crisp Fall weather also marks the beginning of the flu and pneumonia season," Mayor Giuliani said. "Each year many thousands of New Yorkers suffer from the flu, and while most of them get better after a few days, influenza and its complications can be very serious - and even deadly - for seniors and others with chronic health problems.

"I urge older New Yorkers and others at risk to protect themselves from flu and pneumonia through a simple and proven ounce of prevention -- immunizations. Because the flu shot takes about a week to become fully effective, and the pneumonia shot takes somewhat longer, the time to act is now - before the peak flu season," the Mayor concluded.

Persons at high risk from flu include those aged 65 or older; nursing home and chronic care facility residents; those with heart, circulatory, lung or kidney problems (including renal failure and childhood asthma), diabetes, other metabolic diseases, cystic fibrosis or hemoglobin abnormalities (including 'low blood); people with lowered resistance to infection because of cancer, medical treatment, or immune system disease (including HIV); and children up to age 18 who are on long-term aspirin therapy.

New Yorkers should get immunizations from their doctor or clinic. Both Medicare and Medicaid pay for flu and pneumococcal shots, as do many health insurance policies and plans. However, two programs are again available this year to help immunize New Yorkers who are uninsured or whose insurance does not cover the cost of these shots:

• The Department of Health, in partnership with the Department for the Aging and the Visiting Nurse Service, is immunizing older New Yorkers at senior centers throughout the City now, through November 30, 1998.
• The Health Department also offers immunizations at walk-in clinics located in all five boroughs. New Yorkers should call the Health Department's Immunization Hotline, (212) 676-2273, weekdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm, for clinic locations, hours of operation, and flu shot availability.

"Influenza commonly causes several days of high fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and muscle aches," Dr. Cohen added. "People with the flu should drink plenty of liquids, rest, and contact a doctor if they feel very ill or do not feel better after a few days. While we cannot get rid of flu or pneumonia, the toll they exact can be reduced significantly through flu and pneumonia immunization of as many high-risk individuals as possible."

Dr. Cohen cautioned that certain people should consult with their physicians before getting a flu shot, including those who are allergic to eggs, women who might be pregnant, anyone with a high fever, and those who have had Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Children who might have flu should not be given aspirin. Aspirin substitutes, like acetaminophen, may be given instead. Children taking aspirin when they have the flu or chicken pox can develop Reyes Syndrome, a severe illness.

Commissioner Stupp said, "Older New Yorkers are especially vulnerable during flu season. The Department for the Aging wants to encourage seniors to protect their health by getting immunized. That's why we are making it easy for them to get flu shots at over 200 senior centers and other sites throughout the five boroughs."

The Mayor Special Advisor on Health Policy Dr. Ros Gil advised all senior citizens to get flu shots as soon as possible. "This is the time of the year that cold can lead to something more troublesome for our frail and senior citizens."

A new flu shot is needed each fall to prevent the flu because flu viruses rapidly change in form as they circulate among the world's population, making the previous year's vaccine obsolete. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies the most likely forms of the flu virus to be seen commonly in the United States each year. This year's influenza vaccine targets A/Beijing, A/Sydney, and B/Harbin viruses.

Dr. Cohen also noted that persons at high risk from pneumococcal disease comprise largely the same population as those at high risk from the flu. Therefore, people at high risk for flu should also consider getting the pneumococcal shot. The pneumococcal vaccine, unlike the flu shot, usually confers long-term protection, and does not need to be repeated annually. It begins to protect against a wide variety of pneumococcal bacteria two to three weeks after it is administered.

The Mayor thanked the Visiting Nurse Service for providing $200,000 worth of nurses, cars, and support staff to bring flu and pneumonia shots to senior centers in the City's five boroughs.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IMMUNIZATION WALK-IN CLINICS

Flu shots are recommended for senior citizens and those with chronic health problems. College students are served at the Chelsea Health Center only. For a child (under age 18) to receive a vaccination, the parent or legal guardian must sign an informed consent form. Clients with a yellow immunization card or a Medicaid card should bring them to the clinic.