Additional Flu Vaccine Available

Press Release
January 11, 2005

La Marque -Officials with the Galveston County Health District announced today additional flu vaccine is now available for county residents who were unable to access a flu shot earlier in the season. “We have recently received additional doses of vaccine and are asking county residents who did not get a shot previously, to try again,” Galveston County Health Authority Dr. Mark Guidry said. “It is very important that high-risk individuals become protected since influenza has serious consequences and we are not yet out of the flu season.”

Now added to the expanded list of high-risk categories recommended for a flu shot are adults age 50-64, out-of-home caregivers, as well as household contacts of persons in high-risk groups.

In response to this season’s vaccine shortage, previously recommended high-risk groups whom are still encouraged to receive a flu shot include: (1) children 6 months through 23 months of age; (2) adults 65 and older: (3) anyone with underlying chronic medical conditions; (4) women who will be pregnant during the flu season; (5) residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities; (6) children 6 months through 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy; (7) medical care workers providing direct patient care: and (8) caregivers and household contacts of children under 6 months old.

Public health officials are also encouraging people 65 and older, people with lung, heart, liver or kidney problems; and people with diabetes, sickle cell, alcoholism, HIV/AIDS or other chronic medical conditions to get a pneumococcal vaccination.

The pneumonia vaccine, which can be given year-round, protects against pneumonia and other illnesses caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumonia is often a life-threatening complication of influenza.

The height of the flu season in Texas may typically extend to January or February according to Dr. Dana Beckham, Chief Epidemiologist for the Health District. “Once a person has received a shot it takes about two weeks to offer maximum protection. Flu is not a reportable condition in Texas but we have had four laboratory confirmed cases in Galveston County. While we hope we won’t have an outbreak it’s still possible,” says Dr. Beckham.

Flu vaccinations will be available at Galveston County Health District Immunization clinics at the following locations and times:

• Texas City Immunization Clinic (Located in the Texas City Community Family Center)
  2000 Texas Avenue, Texas City, (409) 949-3459
  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
  Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

• Galveston Immunization Clinic (Located in the Island Community Center)
  4700 Broadway, Galveston, (409) 763-7227
  Monday: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
  Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

• Dickinson Immunization Clinic
  905 Pine Drive, Dickinson, (281) 337-4043
  Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

For persons with Medicare Part B insurance, the shots will be available at no cost to them. For others the flu vaccination will be available at a cost of $16 and the pneumonia vaccination at a cost of $27. For more information about immunization clinic services, contact June Gonzales, RN at (409) 938-2244.

.For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org

Published in Galveston Daily News 01/12/05
Published in Galveston Daily News 01/13/05