CAVHCS Flu Season Support

Read the latest on Seasonal Influenza Immunization!

Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS)

The Flu Vaccine has arrived and CAVHCS has begun offering it to Veterans.  Veterans will be able to go to any CAVHCS facility to get their vaccinations. You will NOT have to make an appointment. During flu season our clinicians will offer vaccinations during routine visits, virtually all clinical encounters, during outreach events, specialized clinics and yes…even during our drive-up clinics.

In an effort to keep as many Veterans and family members healthy - this Web page is provided to inform Veterans about the flu; who is especially at risk and facts targeted at the myths that historically keep veterans from receiving the proven benefits of the flu and Pneumovax vaccines.

During the Flu Season CAVHCS will strive to provide each and every veteran an opportunity to receive the benefits of the Seasonal Flu and Pneumovax vaccines.   In general, any eligible Veteran who hasn’t been advised by their provider not to be vaccinated, and wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated.  However, certain Veterans should get vaccinated each year either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for high risk persons.

Veterans who should get vaccinated each year are:

• • People 50 years of age and older.
  • Pregnant women.
  • Veterans of any age with certain chronic medical conditons.
  • Veterans in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
  • People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu.
  • Health care workers.

Influenza: The Disease

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.

Every year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from flu. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Key Facts About Seasonal Influenza (Flu)

What is Influenza (also called Flu)?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.

Every year in the United States, on average:

• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications;
• and about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Symptoms of Flu

Symptoms of flu include:

• fever (usually high)
• headache
• extreme tiredness
• dry cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• Health care workers.
• muscle aches
• stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults.

Complications of Flu

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

How Flu Spreads

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a vaccination each year.

There are two types of vaccines:

The "flu shot"- an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.

The nasal-spray flu vaccine- a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine"). LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.

When to get Vaccinated

Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later

Who SHOULD get Vaccinated?

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for high risk persons. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination.

People who should get vaccinated are:

• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• 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:
• Health care workers:

Use of the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine

Vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is an option for healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant, even healthy persons who live with or care for those in a high risk group. The one exception is healthy persons who care for persons with severely weakened immune systems who require a protected environment; these healthy persons should get the inactivated vaccine.

Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
• People who developed Guillain-Barre´ syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
• Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccination is not approved for use in this age group.)
• People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

How to Get Vaccinated at CAVHCS?

Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) - in an effort to keep as many veterans and family members healthy - has compiled information concerning Seasonal Flu.

This website is provided to inform veterans of the extent of our support, and with information about the flu; who is especially at risk and facts targeted at the myths that historically keep veterans from receiving the proven benefits of the flu and Pneumovax vaccines

During the Flu Season CAVHCS will strive to provide each and every veteran an opportunity to receive the benefits of the Seasonal Flu and Pneumovax vaccines.

Veterans will be able to go to any CAVHCS facility to get their vaccinations. You will NOT have to make an appointment. During flu season our clinicians will offer vaccinations during routine visits, virtually all clinical encounters, during outreach events, specialized clinics and yes - even during our special 'walk-in' clinics.

In general, any veteran who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, certain veterans should get vaccinated each year either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for high risk persons.

Veterans who should get vaccinated each year are:

• People 50 years of age and older.
• Pregnant women.
• Veterans of any age with certain chronic medical conditons.
• Veterans in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu.
• Health care workers.

How Do I Protect Myself Against the Flu?

What can I do to protect myself against the flu?

By far, the single best way to prevent the flu is for individuals, especially people at high risk for serious complications from the flu, to get a vaccination each fall.

What are other steps that can be taken to prevent the flu?

There are other good health habits that can help prevent the flu. They are:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
• If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, and mouth.

Can herbal, homeopathic or other folk remedies protect against the flu?

There is no scientific evidence that any herbal, homeopathic or other folk remedies have any benefit against influenza.

How long can human influenza viruses remain viable on inanimate items (such as books and doorknobs)?

Studies have shown that human influenza viruses generally can survive on surfaces for between 2 and 8 hours.

What kills influenza virus?

Influenza virus is destroyed by heat (167-212° [75-100° C]). In addition, several chemical germicides, including chorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), and alcohols are effective against influenza viruses if used in proper concentration for sufficient length of time. For example, wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used to cleam hands. The gels should be rubbed until they are dry.

The VA has a Public Health Influenza/Flu Website

Influenza- the flu- is a febrile (fever-causing) respiratory illness caused by an influenza virus. Both the illness and its serious medical complications can be prevented by vaccination. The influenza virus circulates each year, with cases of the disease usually starting in the fall and number of cases peaking in the winter or sometimes into spring. The influenza vaccine is changed each year to match the current circulating type of influenza virus. It is important to get vaccinated every year to get the latest protection.

VA takes seriously the threat influenza poses to our veterans, our staff, our medical system and the health of the country as a whole. Influenza vaccination in VA is a priority. It usually begins in September and October and continues through March and April each year.

No two flu seasons are alike. Check this website frequently for changes in VA and national vaccination policies and procedures.

For more information from the VA Website click this link.: VA Flu Website

CDC Flu Website ~ WWW.CDC.GOV/flu ~
(*This link takes you off the CAVHCS Website)

What sort of flu season is expected this year?

Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways. Although epidemics of flu happen every year, the beginning, severity, and length of the epidemic depends on many factors, including the different types and strains of influenza viruses circulating and whether the viruses in the vaccine match flu viruses that are circulating.

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illnesss during the flu season. The vaccine can protect you from getting sick from these three viruses or it can make your illness milder if you get a different flu virus.

By far,sort of flu season is expected this year? the single best way to prevent the flu is for individuals, especially people at high risk for serious complications from the flu, to get a vaccination each fall.

For more information from the CDC Website click this link.: CDC Flu Website*