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After first positive test result, health officials push seasonal flu shot

By Staff | Sep 30, 2016

CONCORD – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced the first positive influenza test result of the 2016-17 season, which came from a Rockingham County adult.

With the flu virus present in the state, DHHS officials encourage New Hampshire residents to be vaccinated against the flu.

"With influenza already beginning to circulate in our communities, we recommend that individuals six months of age and older get the flu vaccine," said Dr. Benjamin Chan, New Hampshire State Epidemiologist, in a Sept. 28 press statement. "It is difficult to predict how a flu season will progress, but the flu vaccine is safe and offers people the best protection to avoid illness and medical complications of influenza virus infection."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 25,000 people in the U.S. die each year from influenza, and that 966,000 medical visits and 67,000 hospitalizations were prevented last year by the vaccine. In New Hampshire last flu season, 19 influenza-
related deaths were identified based on a review of death certificate records.

Health officials recommend the vaccine for everyone over 6 months old, but the shot is especially important for high-risk groups such as pregnant women, adults over 50, children 6 months to 4 years old, people who are immunosuppressed and those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

DHHS also encourages those who live with or care for others at a high risk of flu complications to be vaccinated. This group includes health care workers and caregivers of children younger than 6 months of age.

Influenza can be a serious disease of the lungs, nose and throat. The illness is spread from person to person through contact with infected respiratory secretions including by coughing and sneezing. Typical flu symptoms include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches.

The flu season typically lasts October through May. The CDC and DHHS recommend everyone who is at least 6 months of age be vaccinated by the end of October. Residents can check with schools, pharmacies, or health care providers for vaccinations.

For more information on influenza and the vaccine, contact the NH Immunization Program at 1-800-852-3345, ext. 4482, or 271-4482, or contact the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 1-800-852-3345, ext. 0279, or 271-0279.

More information can be found at the CDC website, www.cdc.gov, and the DHHS website, www.dhhs.nh.gov.

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