The flu and you
(10/16/2006) New Haven’s Department of Health is beginning a campaign to protect the City from a possible outbreak of influenza.
The Department of Health will begin a large-scale education campaign to advise citizens on how to avoid contracting the flu virus. Thousands of posters and brochures will be available across the city in schools, train stations, and senior centers. Even the backs of 20 city buses will bear messages of prevention this October and November. The City is also working with Quinnipiac University to create television commercials on flu prevention which will air next month.
In November, the Department of Health will open up its flu clinics for New Haveners. The clinics will offer residents the chance to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu. The schedule and locations follows.
The increased effort this year is part of the City’s major effort to prevent a flu pandemic. Realizing the potentially disastrous results of an outbreak of flu in the City, the Department of Health has decided to focus a significant amount of energy to make sure that such an outbreak doesn’t happen in the first place.
The City has made significant progress in improving its infrastructure to handle a health emergency, such as an outbreak of bird flu. Within the past year, the City Health Department has made various advances in the ability for emergency health personnel to communicate, including purchasing a new radio license, setting up a new radio tower, and upgrading radio capabilities so that health officials can immediately contact the area’s hospitals, ambulances, police department, etc.
The Office of Emergency Response has also installed a state-of-the-art telephone notification system that is programmed to immediately call or fax citizens, volunteers, and doctors in the event of an emergency. The system has passed recent test-runs.
It is preparing the processes to distribute vaccines in the event of a pandemic, and has met with the City’s hospitals numerous times to discuss such contingencies.
The City also finished in June a plan of action in the event of a bird flu outbreak.
See attached for tips on how to beat the flu!
[END]
John DeStefano, Jr. William P. Quinn, MPH
Mayor Director of Health
City of New Haven Health Department
Office of Emergency Preparedness
54 Meadow Street
New Haven, CT 06519
http://www.cityofnewhaven.com
203.946.8178
THE FLU AND YOU
Although there are different types of flu, this information will help protect you from getting or transmitting all types.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The flu virus.
The Flu is caused by a virus and cannot be killed by antibiotics.
The Flu virus is easy to spread and can be fatal to some people.
Your doctor should be called for medical guidance especially if you or a family member has other health problems.
Symptoms of the flu.
Fever (usually high) • headache • extreme tiredness • dry cough • sore throat • runny or stuffy nose • muscle aches • stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults.
Who should get vaccinated?
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for high risk persons.
WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT THE FLU
Keep your distance.
Because the Flu is easily spread through tiny droplets from sneezing, coughing, and talking…Maintain “Social Distancing” by staying three feet apart from other people and avoid crowds.
Wash your hands or use a sanitizer.
Because people who have the Flu virus and touch objects can leave it behind… Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose and keep your hands clean.
Wipe down objects that others use.
Because the Flu virus can live on objects touched by those that have it and leave it behind… Wiping down and sanitizing objects that are touched by others kills the virus and prevents infection.
Contact your doctor and get vaccinated.
Because your doctor knows your health history and medical conditions, your doctor can best assess your health and can vaccinate you against Seasonal Flu. The New Haven Health Department’s Clinic for flu vaccinations will open in November 2006.
HELPING YOU PREVENT THE FLU
For more information contact:
Connecticut State Department of Public Health http://www.sdph.us.ct.gov
Centers for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm
Pandemic Flu Planning Information
for Family, Business, and Schools visit the website www.pandemicflu.gov
For Seasonal Flu Vaccination Site Information contact:
American Lung Association of Connecticut www.alact.org
888.668.6358
Influenza Hotline 800.830.9426
Hill Health Center 203.503.3000
Fair Haven Health Center 203.777.7411
Dixwell Health Center 203.503.3420
New Haven Health Department Flu Health-Line 203.946.7878
NEW HAVEN HEALTH DEPARTMENT 2006 FLU SCHEDULE
$30.00 CASH CHARGE (MEDICARE-B RECIPIENTS DO NOT PAY)
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE SENIOR CENTER
ALL INDIVIDUALS MAY PARTICIPATE - THERE ARE NO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
THE FLU VACCINE WILL BE GIVEN AT EACH OF THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2
Westville Senior Center 349 McKinley Avenue 10:00 am - 11:00 am
West River Senior Center 1562 Chapel Street 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Dixwell Senior Center 255 Goffe Street 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7
New Haven Health Department 54 Meadow Street 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Casa Otonel 135 Sylvan Avenue 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9
East Shore Senior Center 411 Townsend Avenue 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Atwater Senior Center 26 Atwater Street 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ______________________________________________________________________
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14
New Haven Health Department 54 Meadow Street 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Tower One 18 Tower Lane 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Bella Vista Senior Center 343 Eastern Street 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
(Victoria Room)
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21
New Haven Health Department 54 Meadow Street 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28
New Haven Health Department 54 Meadow Street 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
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