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Flu Vaccination Recommendations

Fight Flu at Home and School

Flu, or influenza, spreads easily and can make people very sick, especially kids. You can help stop flu! Flu symptoms include: Fever or chills, body aches, cough, sore throat, headache, runny or stuffy nose, feeling very tired. Some people, especially children, may have stomach problems and diarrhea. Unlike a cold, the flu comes on very suddenly.

Prevent flu!

  • Flu vaccine is the best protection against the flu. It is recommended every year for everyone 6 months and older.
  • Get the flu vaccine for you and your children every year! It helps make flu sickness milder or prevents it all together.
  • Getting the vaccine early in the fall means you and your children will be protected when flu season starts.
  • Ask people close to your children, like babysitters and relatives, to get the vaccine, too.
  • The vaccine is especially important for people with certain health conditions, like asthma, diabetes, heart or lung conditions because the flu can make them even sicker.

If your child gets the flu:

  • Your child will need plenty of rest and lots of fluids.
  • Keep your child home from school for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone without using fever-control medicine. This helps avoid giving the flu to others.
  • Talk with your child’s health care provider before giving a child any over-the-counter medicine.
  • Never give your child or teenager aspirin or any medicine that has aspirin in it. Aspirin can cause serious problems.
  • If your child gets flu symptoms and is younger than 5 or has a medical condition like asthma, diabetes, or heart or lung disease, call their health care provider. Young children and those with certain medical conditions are at greater risk for getting seriously ill from the flu. Ask their health care provider if they recommend an antiviral drug.
  • If you are worried about your child, call their health care provider.

Don’t spread flu!

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • If soap and water aren’t handy, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, not your hands. Put used tissues in the trash.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. That’s how germs spread.
  • Stay away from people who are sick.

Influenza Information

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages all persons age six months and older to obtain an annual flu vaccine. Influenza vaccine is available seasonally to residents through their local health-care providers, local pharmacies, and big box stores. It is advisable to check with your health care provider or pharmacy in advance to find out if the immunization is covered by your medical insurance policy.

Information regarding influenza can be found at www.cdc.gov/Flu/Season/Index. CDC recommends a three-pronged approach to fighting flu: get vaccinated, take antiviral medications to treat flu illness if your doctor prescribes them, and take everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs, including:

  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you or your child gets sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you (or your child) stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
  • While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
  • If an outbreak of flu or another illness occurs, follow public health advice. This may include information about how to increase distance between people

Suffolk County Government

H. Lee Dennison Bldg

100 Veterans Memorial Hwy
P.O. Box 6100
Hauppauge, NY 11788

Riverhead County Center

County Road 51
Riverhead, NY 11901