Release #462-00

 

Contact:	Sunny Mindel / Lynn Rasic (212) 788-2958	View the Press Conference Download
	Sandy Mullin/Erich Giebelhaus (212) 788-5290 (Health)

MAYOR GIULIANI LAUNCHES NEW FLU VACCINATION PUBLIC
EDUCATION CAMPAIGN: "DON'T GET THE FLU - GET THE SHOT"

With Flu Vaccine Now Available Throughout the City, New Yorkers Over Age 50 Are Encouraged to Get Flu and Pneumonia Shots

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today unveiled a new Health Department public education campaign that encourages New Yorkers over the age of 50 to get vaccinated against the flu. The Mayor also announced that with flu vaccine now more widely available in hospitals, nursing homes, health clinics, doctor's offices, and other venues in New York City, all individuals who are over age 50 are advised to receive a flu shot.

"Now that the flu vaccine is available throughout the City, I urge New Yorkers age 50 and older to protect themselves from the flu and pneumonia by getting their shots," Mayor Giuliani said. "Earlier this season when we were experiencing a nationwide flu vaccine delay, the Health Department made sure that those most susceptible to the flu received vaccinations. The Health Department redirected its own supply to nursing homes and asked corporations to assist in the effort. I would like to thank Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Executive Health Group, Citigroup, AXA Financial, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, JP Morgan, and BBDO Advertising for donating 2,700 doses of flu vaccine."

"Thanks to efforts by the Health Department to reach individuals in greatest need, over 42,000 doses of flu vaccine were sent to nursing homes and hospitals, high risk children, and ambulatory care and community clinics. I would like to acknowledge the Health and Hospitals Corporation, Department for the Aging, Greater New York Hospital Association, and the Visiting Nurse Service of New York for assisting in this effort," the Mayor continued.

"While there had been delays in vaccine shipments to New York City and across the country, we are pleased to announce that there is now an ample supply of flu vaccine in New York City," Dr. Cohen said. "With the height of the flu season expected in January or February, we have a much smaller window than usual in which to see New Yorkers get vaccinated. I encourage all New Yorkers over age 50 to protect themselves from the flu and pneumonia this year by getting their shots now because the flu shot takes about one week to become fully effective and the pneumonia shot takes somewhat longer."

With a slogan of "Don't Get the Flu - Get the Shot", the Health Department's new public education campaign will appear on television, buses, telephone kiosks and in subways throughout New York City. The television and poster campaign features basketball legend Walt "Clyde" Frazier, actor Tony Randall, singer/actress Eartha Kitt, and WNET-13 television personality Rafael Pi Roman. In addition, television spots from the campaign will run on Time Warner Cable television stations for the remainder of the flu season. Dr. Cohen thanked Time Warner Cable for providing considerable pro bono
assistance in the production of these television ads.

This year, the Health Department developed two innovative new ways for New Yorkers to obtain information on flu vaccinations. The City's new toll-free Flu Information Line, 1-866-FLU-LINE (1-866-358-5463), and a new section of the City's Web site (nyc.gov/health) provide up-to-date information on where individuals can get vaccinated free of charge. Since October 25th, when it was established, the Flu Information Line has received over 8,000 calls.

Each year, the Health Department distributes 25,000 flu shots to seniors who attend the City's senior centers. In addition to this activity, this year the Health Department redirected 28,000 doses of vaccine to 60 nursing homes and hospitals; 10,000 doses to children with high risk conditions, and 4,000 doses to those in ambulatory care and community clinics.

The Health Department continues to offer free immunizations at its walk-in clinics located in all five boroughs throughout the flu season. In addition, the Health and Hospitals Corporation will also offer free flu shots at their hospitals and Communicare clinic sites.

Who Should Get the Flu Shot

Persons at high risk for serious influenza infection include: anyone aged 65 or older; nursing home and chronic care facility residents; individuals with heart, circulatory, lung or kidney problems (including renal failure and asthma), diabetes, other metabolic disease, cystic fibrosis or hemoglobin abnormalities (including "low blood"); people with lowered resistance to infection because of cancer, medical treatment, or immune system disease (including HIV); and children up to age 18 who are on long-term aspirin therapy.

Children who have the flu should not be given aspirin because they could be at risk for developing Reyes Syndrome, a serious illness. Aspirin substitutes, like acetaminophen, may be given instead. In addition, certain people should consult with their physicians before getting a flu shot, including those who are allergic to eggs, women who might be pregnant, anyone with a high fever, and those who have had Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Persons at high risk from pneumonia are also at high risk from the flu. Therefore, people at high risk for flu should also consider getting the pneumonia shot. The pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine, unlike the flu shot, usually confers long-term protection, and does not need to be repeated annually. It begins to protect against a wide variety of pneumococcal bacteria two to three weeks after it is administered.

For each year's flu season, a new flu vaccine is needed because flu viruses rapidly change in form as they circulate worldwide, making the previous year's vaccine obsolete. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies the most likely forms of the flu virus to be seen commonly in the United States each year. This year's influenza vaccine targets New Caledonia A, Panama A, and Yamanashi B viruses.

Influenza commonly causes several days of high fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and muscle aches. People with the flu should drink plenty of liquids, rest, and contact a doctor if they feel very ill or do not feel better after a few days.

Joining the Mayor for the announcement were New York City Health Commissioner Neal L. Cohen, M.D.; Greater New York Hospital Association President Kenneth E. Raske; Executive Health Group President and CEO William Flatley; as well as actor Tony Randall and WNET-13 television personality Raphael Pi Roman, who are among the four celebrities appearing in the new public education campaign.

www.nyc.gov