Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 3, 1997

Release #595-97

Contact: Colleen Roche/Brenda Perez (212) 788-2958
Fred Winters (212) 788-5290 DOH
Jennifer MacAdam (212) 442-1111 DFTA


MAYOR GIULIANI URGES ELDERLY AND AT RISK NEW YORKERS TO GET FLU AND PNEUMONIA SHOTS NOW!

Kicks Off Immunization Programs at Senior Centers and Health Clinics

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today kicked off the 1997 flu immunization program by taking a flu shot and urging older New Yorkers and others at high risk of pneumonia and influenza-related complications to do the same as soon as possible. At a press conference at Our Lady of Pompeii Senior Center in Greenwich Village, the Mayor was joined by Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Benjamin Mojica, Department for the Aging Commissioner Herbert W. Stupp, and Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNS) Chief Operating Officer Joan Marren.

"The crisp, Fall weather marks the beginning of the annual flu and pneumonia season," said Mayor Giuliani. "Each year many thousands of New Yorkers suffer from the flu, and while most of them get better after a few days, influenza and its complications can be very serious -- and even deadly -- for seniors and others with chronic health problems.

"I urge older and at risk New Yorkers to protect themselves from flu and pneumonia through a simple and proven 'ounce of prevention' -- immunizations. Because the flu shot takes about a week to become fully effective, and the pneumonia shot takes somewhat longer, the time to act is now -- before the peak flu season.

"I particularly want to thank the Visiting Nurse Service for its invaluable service to the people of this City by once again providing $200,000 worth of nurses, cars, and support staff to bring these flu shots to senior centers in all five boroughs," the Mayor concluded.

New Yorkers should get their flu and pneumococcal shots from their doctor or clinic. Both Medicare and Medicaid pay for flu and pneumococcal shots, as do many health insurance policies and plans. However, two programs are again available this year to help immunize New Yorkers who are uninsured or whose insurance does not cover the cost of these shots.

The Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with VNS and the Department for the Aging, will immunize older New Yorkers at senior centers throughout the City through December 31, 1997.

DOH also offers immunizations at its Immunization Walk-In Clinics, located in all five boroughs. Until the end of November, New Yorkers at high risk from flu should call the Health Department's Immunization Hotline number, ((212) 676-2273, weekdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm for details and flu shots availability.

Dr. Mojica said, "I want to remind all New Yorkers, especially senior citizens and others at risk, that the flu can be very serious. In 1996, 2,702 New Yorkers died of influenza or the pneumonia that often follows it. While most flu sufferers recover fully, flu and pneumonia together rank as the fourth leading cause of death in New York City, and nearly 84 percent of flu and pneumonia deaths are among persons aged 65 and older. In that age group, flu and pneumonia together are the third leading cause of death.

"A bout of the flu commonly causes several days of high fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and muscle aches. People with the flu should drink plenty of liquids, rest, and contact a doctor if they feel very ill or do not feel better after a few days. While we cannot get rid of flu or pneumonia, they are preventable. The toll they exact can be reduced significantly through flu and pneumonia immunization of as many high-risk individuals as possible," Commissioner Mojica added.

Ms. Marren of VNS said, "For the elderly and those with chronic illness, flu is not something to take chances with. Make sure you get your flu shot now at your senior center, at your own doctor's office or a clinic before the peak of the flu season. It will help keep you healthy and active through the winter."

Commissioner Stupp said, "Older New Yorkers are especially vulnerable during flu season. The Department for the Aging wants to encourage seniors to protect their health by getting immunized. That's why we're making it easy for them to get flu shots over 200 senior centers and other sites throughout the five boroughs."

A new flu shot is needed each fall to prevent the flu because flu viruses rapidly change in form as they circulate among the world's population, making the previous year's vaccine ineffective.

This year, flu shots target A/Nanchang, A/Johannesburg, and B/Harbin viruses, identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the most likely forms of the flu virus to be seen commonly in the United States.

Persons at high risk from flu include: those aged 65 or older; nursing home and chronic care facility residents those with heart, circulatory, lung or kidney problems (including renal failure and childhood asthma), diabetes, other metabolic diseases, cystic fibrosis or hemoglobin abnormalities (including "low blood"); people with lowered resistance to infection because of cancer, medical treatment, or immune system disease (including HIV illness); and children up to age 18 who are on long-term aspirin therapy.

Commissioner Mojica also cautioned that certain people should talk with their physician before getting a flu shot, including those who are allergic to eggs, women who might be pregnant, anyone with a high fever, and those who have had Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Children who might have flu should not be given aspirin. Aspirin substitutes, like acetaminophen, may be given instead. Children taking aspirin when they have the flu or chicken pox can develop Reyes Syndrome, a severe illness.

Influenza is a viral infection of the nose, throat, airways, and lungs, characterized by sudden onset of fever, muscle aches, sore throat and dry cough. Influenza often takes more out of its victims than other common respiratory infections, may last several days, and can set the stage for viral or bacterial pneumonia.

Pneumococcal disease includes infection of the lungs (pneumonia), bloodstream (bacteremia), and the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) caused by various strains of pneumococcal bacteria. Pneumococcal disease is dangerous -- and potentially fatal -- to high risk individuals, who typically develop it along with, or following, a bout of the flu.

Persons at high risk from pneumococcal disease comprise largely the same population as those at high risk from the flu. Therefore, people at high risk for flu should also consider getting the pneumococcal shot.

The pneumococcal vaccine, unlike the flu shot, usually confers long-term protection, and does not need to be repeated annually. It begins to protect against a wide variety of pneumococcal bacteria two to three weeks after it is administered.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WALK-IN IMMUNIZATION CLINICS

Free immunization flu and pneumonia shots are available in the five boroughs throughout the Metropolitan area of New York City and the Department of Health, Bureau of Immunization clinics.

The shots are recommended for senior citizens and those with chronic illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, HIV, diabetes, etc.

Clients are seen on a first come, first served basis from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Early arrival is advised. If you have a yellow immunization card and a Medicaid card, you will need to bring them with you.

BRONX Morrisania Immunization Clinic
1309 Fulton Avenue
Between 169th Street and Fulton Avenue
to 169th Street.
Mondays and Wednesdays
#2 or #5 train to 149th Street
and 3rd Avenue, then #55 bus
BROOKLYN Fort Greene Immunization Clinic
295 Flatbush Avenue Extension
Between Willoughby and Albee Square
Wednesdays and Fridays
R,D,M or N trains to
Dekalb Avenue.
Homecrest Immunization Clinic
1601 Avenue S
Between East 16th and East 17th Streets
Mondays and Thursdays
D or Q trains to Avenue U
MANHATTAN Chelsea Immunization Clinic
303 Ninth Avenue
Between West 27th and West 28th Streets
Mondays and Fridays
C or E trains to West 23rd
Street or #1 or #9 trains to
West 28th Street.
Washington Heights Immunization Clinic
600 West 168th Street
Between Broadway and Fort Washington Avenue
Tuesdays and Thursdays
A,B, #1 or #9 trains to
West 168th Street.
QUEENS Corona Immunization Clinic
34-33 Junction Boulevard
Between 34th Avenue and 34th Road
Tuesdays and Thursdays
#7 train to Junction Boulevard
Hillside Immunization Clinic
164-21 Hillside Avenue
Between 164th and 165th Streets
Wednesdays and Fridays
F train to Parson Boulevard
STATEN ISLAND St. George Immunization Clinic
51 Stuyvesant Place
Between Wall Street and Richmond Terrace
(near ferry)
Mondays only

The Department for the Aging has set up an information and referral phone line, (212) 442-1000, to obtain details on immunization.

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