N E W Y O R K C I T Y D E P A R T M E N T O F H E A L T H A N D M E N T A L H Y G I E N E

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1 V O L U M E 1 3, N U M B E R 4 Health Bulletin N E W Y O R K C I T Y D E P A R T M E N T O F H E A L T H A N D M E N T A L H Y G I E N E # i n a s e r i e s o f H e a l t h B u l l e t i n s o n i s s u e s o f p r e s s i n g i n t e r e s t t o a l l N e w Y o r k e r s INFLUENZA germs are everywhere. TheVACCINE is your best protection. See your doctor or call 311 Available in Spanish, Chinese and other languages: Call 311 or visit nyc.gov Health

2 I n f l u e n z a G e r m s A r e E v e r y w h e r e : V o l u m e 1 3 N u m b e r 4 INFLUENZA is dangerous. Protect yourself and your child with a FLU VACCINE. Influenza (flu) is a contagious lung infection that causes fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. It can lead to more serious health problems, like pneumonia. Everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated. Get a flu vaccine every year. This year s vaccine will protect you throughout the flu season, which can start as early as October and can last as late as May. It s best to get the vaccine as soon as it becomes available (late summer or early fall) so that you re protected the entire season but it s never too late to get vaccinated. The flu vaccine can be given in a shot or in a nasal spray called FluMist.

3 Every year, hundreds of New Yorkers die from flu-related complications. Those most at risk include: Pregnant women Children younger than 5 years (especially those under 2) Adults over 65 People with certain health conditions, including: Diabetes Lung disease Asthma Heart disease Sickle cell anemia Kidney or liver disease Metabolic disorders Weakened immune system (such as from HIV or cancer treatment) Disorders that may cause breathing problems, such as seizure, nerve and muscle disorders People who are very overweight (a Body Mass Index of 40 and over) Children and adolescents (age 6 months to 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy People living in nursing homes or other care facilities American Indians and Alaskan Natives Those in close contact with people at risk of complications (like health care workers, and people who care for infants too young to be vaccinated) also need the vaccine. For copies of any Health Bulletin For all Health Bulletins, visit nyc.gov and search for Health Bulletins. For a free subscription, visit nyc.gov/health/ .

4 F i r s t P r i n t i n g : S e p t e m b e r R e v i s e d / R e p r i n t e d : 0 9 / 0 9, 1 0 / 0 9, 0 9 / 1 0, 0 9 / 1 1, 1 0 / 1 2, 1 1 / 1 3, 1 0 / 1 4 Prevent the spread of influenza. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or the inside of your elbow not your hand. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you get sick, avoid close contact with other people, and stay home from work or school until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours (without feverreducing medicine). FIND A VACCINE LOCATION: Contact your family or primary care provider. Go to your nearest pharmacy. Most pharmacies provide flu vaccine for adults. Check if your employer offers flu vaccines. Visit a Health Department immunization clinic or a Health and Hospitals Corporation facility. Call 311, text flu to or visit nyc.gov and search for flu. AVOID life-threatening complications from influenza.

5 Frequently Asked Questions 1 Is influenza dangerous for children? Yes. Each year, thousands of children are hospitalized due to complications from seasonal influenza. Some of those illnesses result in death. In , more than 100 children died from influenza in the US. 2Do children attending child care have to get vaccinated? 3 4Why should I get vaccinated every year? 5 Yes. All children 6 months through 5 years of age attending NYC-licensed daycare or enrolled in nursery school, Head Start or pre-kindergarten must receive one dose of influenza vaccine between July 1st and December 31st every year. What is the quadrivalent flu vaccine? The quadrivalent flu vaccine protects against four different influenza viruses. In the past, flu vaccines were designed to protect against three different influenza viruses. By including a fourth virus, the quadrivalent vaccine can give more protection. Flu viruses change constantly. Vaccines are updated every season to protect against the new viruses that are spreading in the community. Also, immunity from the flu vaccine only lasts for up to one year. How well does the flu vaccine work? Studies show that vaccination can help reduce the spread of influenza and the risk of complications, but how well the vaccine works varies from season to season, depending on the age of the person getting the vaccine and how well the vaccine matches the strains spreading in the community. The flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from influenza.

6 Health Bulletin V O L U M E 1 3, N U M B E R 4 N E W Y O R K C I T Y D E P A R T M E N T O F H E A L T H A N D M E N T A L H Y G I E N E # i n a s e r i e s o f H e a l t h B u l l e t i n s o n i s s u e s o f p r e s s i n g i n t e r e s t t o a l l N e w Y o r k e r s New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Gotham Center, th Street L.I.C., New York Bill de Blasio, Mayor Mary T. Bassett, MD, MPH, Commissioner INFLUENZA germs are everywhere. For Non-Emergency NYC Services Telephone Interpretation in More Than 170 Languages Scan to find a flu vaccination clinic near you or text flu to DI6TCNY10E