KCHD Partners with MAXIM Health Systems to Provide Flu Shots to High-Risk Persons
For Immediate Release
September 27,2005
Knox County Health Department (KCHD) has partnered with MAXIM Health Systems to provide inactivated influenza vaccination (the traditional flu shot) to high priority groups beginning October 3, 2005. The partnership enables MAXIM staff to administer their vaccine in KCHD satellite clinics. Without this collaboration, vaccine would not be available to high-risk persons until mid-October - as KCHD's full supply may not be available until that time. Additionally, the combined supply from MAXIM and KCHD will increase the total amount of vaccine available for the most vulnerable members of the Knox County community this season. The charge for the vaccine provided by MAXIM will be $25.00, and MAXIM will bill Medicare Plan B, when proof of coverage is provided at the visit.
Influenza usually enters a community through children, and children are known to be the major transmitter of flu to other persons, including those whom we consider to be high risk for complications of flu. In Japan, where they vaccinated all school-aged children against influenza for over a decade, there is medical proof that overall rates of influenza illness, and death from influenza, significantly declined for all age groups.
"We feel this partnership provides a great public health service to the residents of Knox County, especially those at most risk for developing complications from the flu," stated Mark Jones, KCHD Director. "Because of the collaboration between KCHD and MAXIM, more flu vaccine will be available for the high-risk members of our community."
Only persons meeting the high-risk criteria outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be able to receive the vaccine. CDC defines high-risk persons as: persons 65 years and older, residents of long-term care facilities, children between 6 and 23 months, pregnant women, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children under 6 months, health-care personnel who provide direct patient care, and persons between 2 and 64 years with comorbid conditions. Persons with comorbid conditions include:
- Those with chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma (hypertension is not considered a comorbid condition);
- Those who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]);
- Those who have any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration;
- Children and adolescents (aged 6 months--18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and, therefore, might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza infection.
Persons with questions regarding their eligibility for a flu shot or FluMist are encouraged to contact their medical provider. Additionally, KCHD will be staffing an information line (215-5555) Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 4:00pm from September 28th to December 15th.
Media questions should be directed to Charity Menefee, KCHD Public Information Officer, at 215-5098.
