As National Influenza Vaccination Week comes to an end, the Cayuga County Health Department is encouraging residents to get their season flu vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone aged six months and older should receive a flu vaccine every year.
According to the Health Department, the flu is highly contagious and typically circulates at higher rates during the fall and winter months in Upstate New York. While many people infected with the flu experience mild illness, severe illness and death can occur. Public Health Director Kathleen Cuddy, MPH, said vaccination is particularly important for individuals at high risk of severe illness or death.
Individuals at high risk include:
- Children younger than five years of age, especially those under the age of two
- Pregnant women
- People 65 and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes)
- Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
It is also particularly important to be vaccinated if you live with or care for those who are at high risk for complications. This includes:
- Healthcare workers
- Household contacts of individuals who have a medical condition that puts them at high risk for complications
- Household contacts and caregivers of children under 5 years old (e.g. parents, teachers, daycare workers) especially those younger than two years old.
Cuddy encourages residents to speak with their healthcare provider and schedule an appointment if they haven’t already received the flu vaccine.
Most insurance programs, including Medicare Part B, cover the cost of flu vaccines in full.
If you have concerns about receiving the vaccine, contact your healthcare provider or the Cayuga County Health Department at (315) 253-1560
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