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Flu vaccine available at health offices
Fight the flu. It’s Not Too Late to Vaccinate.
December 3-9 is National Influenza Vaccination Week
SANTA FE, N.M. — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reminds New Mexicans that it’s not too late to get vaccinated against the flu – in fact, it may be your last chance before flu cases spread more during the winter months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes the first week in December as National Influenza Vaccination Week to highlight the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond.
“December is when flu season historically starts to peak in New Mexico and nationwide, and the flu cases are expected to be most common now through next March,” said State Epidemiologist Michael Landen. “As long as flu viruses are circulating, it’s not too late for New Mexicans to get vaccinated.”
NMDOH reported the first flu cases of the 2017-2018 season in mid-October. Since then, there have been two influenza deaths in New Mexico.
Flu vaccinations are available at NMDOH public health offices statewide for insured and uninsured residents while supplies last. Those with Medicaid or other insurance who go to Public Health Offices are asked to bring their insurance card. Flu vaccine is also available from other healthcare providers in your area, such as your doctor or local pharmacies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu vaccine effectiveness can vary from year to year among different age and risk groups and even by vaccine type. How well the vaccine works can depend in part on the match between the vaccine virus used to produce the vaccine and the circulating viruses that season. Even at reduced effectiveness, flu vaccination prevents millions of illnesses and tens of thousands of flu-related hospitalizations each year.
Even if you think you already had the flu this season, it is recommended everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine. The flu vaccine protects against multiple strains of flu that may be circulating at any given time, and people can get infected with more than one type of flu during the season. NMDOH also recommends that you ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you need the pneumococcal vaccine which can be given at the same time as flu vaccine. Influenza frequently causes types of pneumonia that can be prevented by the pneumococcal vaccine.
Flu vaccination is highly recommended for the following high-risk groups:
- Pregnant women (any trimester) and up to two weeks post-partum
- Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
- People age 65 and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, and lung or heart disease and those with immunosuppression from medication or disease
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including healthcare personnel and caregivers of babies younger than 6 months
- American Indians and Alaskan Natives
- People who are morbidly obese
To find out more about flu vaccination clinics throughout New Mexico, you can call the Immunization hotline toll free at (800) 232-4635 or go online to: http://nmhealth.org/about/phd/idb/imp/fluv/.
