Governor Gary Herbert has declared the week of January 11-16 as “Influenza Vaccination Week in Utah.”
Although there are fewer H1N1-related illnesses reported in the last few weeks, the H1N1 influenza virus continues to circulate in Utah. “We’re not out of the woods yet, and it’s not too late to get a flu shot,” said Gov. Herbert.
The Utah Department of Health Executive Director Dr. David Sundwall stated that “It’s certainly possible that we will experience a third wave of illness later this winter or early in the spring. So far, about 20 percent of Utahns have been vaccinated, but we need as many people as possible to get the vaccine to reach a level of immunity that could fend off a third wave.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are encouraging people with certain disabilities to be sure and get their seasonal flu shots and the H1N1 shots.
CDC states that “people with certain types of disability have a higher risk of getting flu-related complications, such as pneumonia. Some physical disabilities can affect how well your body fights off infection. People with conditions that affect their immune system, which controls how well your body fights off infections (including chronic and respiratory diseases), are at increased risk for getting more severe illness and requiring hospitalization.”
Some disability groups are at increased risk of becoming infected or having unrecognized symptoms. These include:
- People with limited mobility or people who cannot limit coming into contact with others who are infected.
- People who have trouble understanding or practicing preventive measures.
- People who may not be able to tell others of their symptoms of illness.
- People who are not monitored closely for symptoms of illness.
CDC confirms that those who provide home and community-based health-related services and have close and consistent contact with people with disabilities should also receive a seasonal flu shot and an H1N1 shot.
You can check local distributers of seasonal flu shots and H1N1 flu shots in your town by going to the CDC website.