Health Dept. urges flu vaccines with 45 reported influenza deaths across state

While there is a high prevalence of reports of influenza-like illness (ILI) in Indiana, the Dubois County Health Department wants the public to know it’s not too late to get a flu shot.

Among the statistics keeping the health department on alert is the reported 45 influenza-associated deaths in Indiana as of January 31, 2020 and the four school-wide outbreaks this season.

Only one school in Dubois County has had to report more than 20 percent of students absent from sickness so far. The reporting is required according to Indiana Administrative Code which requires public and accredited nonpublic schools to report to the local health department and the state attendance officer of the Department of Education the percentage of student absences when the percentage of students absent from a school is equal or greater than 20 percent of the enrolled students.

“There have been nine long-term care facility outbreaks this season state-wide,” according to the health department. “We have 87 percent of influenza specimens collected were tested positive for the flu at the ISDH laboratory.”

According to the health department, the single best way to prevent the flu is for individuals to get a vaccination. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. No prescription is required, and no appointment is necessary. Additional late-night walk-in clinics will be held 4-6 pm on the Wednesdays of February 5^th and March 4th.

The department provides the regular pediatric and adult vaccine as well as the high dose Influenza vaccine. Human immune defenses become weaker with age, which places older people at greater risk of severe illness from influenza, so for those aged 65 and up you may want to consider getting the high-dose.

Flu is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May. Anyone can get the flu, but it is more dangerous for some people. Infants and young children, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions or a weakened immune system are at greater risk of flu complications. Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications. For those with weakened immune systems, may not be able to fight the flu and may need hospitalized for treatment.

Other ways to prevent spread of disease is to:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick. Get plenty of rest.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Consider wearing a mask.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Everyone can help contribute towards the prevention and spread of illnesses. There are many different flu viruses and they are constantly changing. This means that people who get vaccinated may still get sick, but they are about half as likely to get sick as someone who was not vaccinated. Another important thing to remember is that vaccination may make the illness less severe when people who get vaccinated and still get sick.

In general, people who get vaccinated are better off than people who do not get vaccinated.