LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – the Louisville area is seeing its first flu cases this season. during the past week there have been two laboratory confirmed cases of type B influenza. Physician offices are also reporting seeing patients with flu-like symptoms as well as people testing positive on rapid flu tests.

“We urge everyone six months of age and older to get a flu shot,” said acting Public Health and Wellness Director Dr. Matt Zahn.  There is plenty of vaccine available throughout the community.  this year's vaccine is a good match to the type of influenza we are seeing and protects against both H1N1 and the regular seasonal flu.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year from the flu and approximately 20,000 die.  Coincidently this week, December 5 – 11, is National Influenza Vaccination Week.  the CDC's week-long emphasis on flu vaccination was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as fostering greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends regular seasonal flu vaccinations for everyone six months of age or older as the best way to avoid flu. the CDC especially recommends that people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications get a flu shot each year.  these people are:

• Children aged six 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
  • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children younger than six months of age.

Appointments are available for immunizations at the following Public Health and Wellness sites.  Call the clinic site at the phone number listed below to make an appointment.

Dixie Health Center 7219 Dixie Highway937-7277

Neighborhood Place East Health Center 810 Barret Ave 574-6638

Middletown Health Center200 Juneau Drive245-1074

Newburg Health Center 4810 Exeter Avenue458-0778

Flu shots are also available at physicians' office, pharmacies and supermarkets thought the community. 

Metro Health Department

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