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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Governor Beshear, First Lady receive flu shots
Governor and Mrs. Beshear encourage Kentuckians to get influenza vaccinations
FRANKFORT, Ky.– With influenza season just around the corner and flu vaccine already available in many locations this season, Gov. Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear today received their seasonal flu vaccinations.
Governor and Mrs. Beshear urge all Kentuckians to get a seasonal flu shot or nasal vaccine spray and encourage parents to make sure children older than 6 months also receive protection against the seasonal flu. This year's seasonal flu vaccine includes the H1N1 strain, as well as other strains of flu that are expected to circulate.
“The best way to protect yourself and your family against the flu is to receive the flu shot or nasal vaccine spray,” said Gov. Beshear. “Ensuring that as many children and adults as possible are vaccinated helps protect the health of communities across the state.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is now recommending flu vaccine for all individuals older than 6 months of age. People who should especially receive the flu vaccine, because they may be at higher risk for complications or negative consequences include:
- Children age 6 months to 19 years;
- Pregnant women;
- People 50 years old or older;
- People of any age with chronic health problems;
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities;
- Health care workers;
- Caregivers of or people who live with a person at high risk for complications from the flu and out-of-home caregivers of or people who live with children less than 6 months old.
Healthy, non-pregnant people aged 2-49 years can receive either the flu shot or the nasal vaccine spray.
Kentucky expects local health departments and private health care providers to have plenty of flu vaccine on hand for this year’s season, and vaccine is already available at many locations around the state. Kentuckians should contact their health provider or local health department for more information.
“While we expect there to be plenty of flu vaccine available this year, we urge Kentuckians not to delay in getting their shots or nasal spray vaccinations,” said William Hacker, M.D., commissioner of the Department for Public Health. “Getting vaccinated now will help ensure protection when flu begins to circulate in our communities and throughout the entire season.”
The flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May, but usually peaks between January and March. September, October and November are good months to be vaccinated for flu because it takes about two weeks for immunity to develop and offer protection against flu. However, vaccination can be given any time during the flu season. Infection with the flu virus can cause fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and body aches.
Health officials also urge Kentuckians to practice common sense precautions to prevent illness, including: avoiding close contact with those who are ill; staying home when sick; covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth; and frequent hand washing.
For more information on influenza and flu immunizations, please contact your local health department or visit healthalerts.ky.gov.
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