SAINT LOUIS COUNTY, MO - (October 9, 2007) Flu season has arrived and the Saint Louis County Health Department is urging that all residents be vaccinated against the flu - especially those most vulnerable such as the elderly and young children.
Earlier today, County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and Dr. Dolores J. Gunn, Director of the Saint Louis County Department of Health, were both vaccinated against the flu at an event highlighting the importance and ease of being vaccinated.
"It not just about protecting yourself. If you don't catch the flu, then you can't spread the flu," said Dr. Gunn.
To find out where to go for vaccinations (or to find more information about the flu), call the Flu Vaccination Hotline or visit the new Saint Louis County Flu website:
314-644-4FLU (4358)
www.SaintLouisCountyFlu.com
Flu season runs from October through April every year. Depending on the severity of the outbreak, between 15 and 60 million Americans are infected each flu season. Over 200,000 people are hospitalized every year due to flu-related complications, and around 36,000 of them die.
The populations most vulnerable to the flu are the elderly and young children. During the 2006-2007 flu season, over 30% of the cases in Saint Louis County occurred in children between the ages of 5 and 14.
Other standard precautions being urged by the County Health Department are:
* Wash your hands frequently.* Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.* Limit your contact with infected people.* Stay home when you are sick. |
