CLEARFIELD – To help older individuals avoid the flu, the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging’s PrimeTime Health Program in conjunction with Clearfield Hospital Home Health is offering flu shot clinics for persons over 60 years of age.
It is now recommended that individuals age six months and older receive an annual influenza vaccination. This is a new and expanded recommendation for this season. In February 2010, the Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted in favor of “universal” influenza vaccination in the United States to protect as many people as possible against the flu.
Five to twenty percent of the population gets the flu. Deaths from flu-related causes range from 3,300 to 48,600 (average 23,600) each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications.
This year’s seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against the 2009 H1N1; H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus.
While October and November are ideal months to be vaccinated against the flu, individuals can still receive vaccination throughout the winter months. Flu cases traditionally peak in January or later.
The influenza vaccine is recommended for:
- All people 6 months of age and older ;
- People at higher risk of severe influenza and their close contacts, including healthcare personnel and close contacts of children younger than 6 months.
- Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
CCAAA flu shot clinics are scheduled at the following locations and times.
|
Kylertown Center for Active Living Oct. 20 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Karthaus Center for Active Living Oct. 20 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Houtzdale Center for Active Living Oct. 25 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Clearfield Center for Active Living Oct. 27 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Mahaffey Center for Active Living Oct. 28 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Coalport Center for Active Living Oct. 28 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
Anyone wishing to also eat lunch at a Center for Active Living is asked to make reservations with the Center by 9:00 a.m. the day before the clinic.
In addition to the vaccination, you can help fend off the flu by keeping your immune defenses strong. That means getting proper sleep, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in regular exercise. Also, safety measures such as washing your hands frequently and keeping them away from your face and eyes will minimize the likelihood that the virus will be transmitted from your hands to your bloodstream.
If the flu bug does bite, stay home, stay in bed, rest and drink plenty of fluids. Throw used tissues in the trash immediately rather than allowing them to contaminate tabletops or other common areas.
For more information on the flu shot clinics, call the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Inc. at 765-2696 or 1-800-225-8571.
The programs and services of the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Inc. are funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Inc., Mature Resources Foundation, and local and client contributions.
