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Flu Vaccine Acquires Additional Significance as Antibiotic- Resistant Bacterium Becomes More Prevalent
Commissioner of Health Amler discusses vaccination need with Legislature
by Margaret Sternberg
In an effort to help decrease the spread of illness within the county, Putnam's Commissioner of Health, Dr. Sherlita Amler, appeared before the November 13, 2007 meeting of the Health Committee of the Legislature to discuss various initiatives to be taken to counter the spread of flu countywide.
Dr. Amler will require that all Health Department employees read a State Department of Health-issued letter discussing the effects of flu and the importance of taking the flu vaccine in order to prevent its spread within their families and to the patients with whom they work. Amler said that the vaccine will be provided free to county employees. Statistics show that people who are vaccinated take 50 percent fewer sick days. She added that the vaccine also reduces the impact of the infection on those who may already have been exposed prior to getting the vaccine.
Amler said that one of several reasons she is recommending all county residents get immunized is a concern that people would get co-infected with both Avian and regular flu, and that there may be a sharing of genetic material between viruses enabling easier transmission, as well as the mutation of the virus into a "very dangerous form." The vaccine would lower the chances of that occurring.
Adding to her concern is the growing presence of MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant bacterium, and the pediatric deaths it has caused. Amler said that of the children who had died from MRSA, an "extremely high number" had had flu at the same time they had had MRSA. Amler said the current thinking is that there is "some synergistic effect" between the two that has resulted in a higher number of pediatric deaths related to influenza, and she recommended that children be immunized as well.
Amler emphasized that anyone exposed to the flu was not only at risk as an individual, but represented a potential health risk to anyone with whom they come in contact, citing the elderly, the "immuno-compromised" and others, adding that the complications of flu can be potentially fatal for these groups.
Noting that approximately 36,000 people die per year from flu, a figure that is higher than any other for a disease that can be prevented by vaccine, Amler said that one of the reasons she had gone before the committee was that "as leaders in the community, you have the ability to influence what people do," asking that county employees be encouraged to get the flu vaccines and to make it easy for them to do so.
She said the County will be sponsoring a free public flu vaccine clinic on Friday, November 30, from 12-7pm at the Brewster High School for those age 9 years and older. Those under nine need two separate shots if it is the first time they have been vaccinated, and "to track that is difficult." Amler said that residents can call the Flu Vaccine Hotline at 845-278-6130 for more information.
Closing her presentation, Amler said, "We really can make a difference in their health, if they will allow us to help them." The December meeting of the Health Committee will be posted on the PCN&R's website as soon as it becomes available.
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