Wyoming officials urge flu vaccination

As a handful of flu reports begin to emerge in the state, Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) officials are urging residents to get an annual flu vaccination.

Dr. Wendy Braund, state health office and WDH Public Health Division senior administrator, said almost everyone who is six months or older should get an annual flu vaccine to help prevent influenza.

“Getting immunized is safe and is the single most effective thing most people can do to help prevent getting ill with influenza or passing it on to others,” she said.

McClinton noted flu season officially runs from October through May each year.

“Last season we saw our highest levels of activity in mid to late December,” she said. “Wyoming’s peak times for flu in other years have typically been in February and March.”

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches.

Braund emphasized that influenza even leads to hospitalizations and deaths each year.

“Some people are especially vulnerable to flu and its effects, but healthy people get the flu too,” she said. “While they usually get better in a few days, they often miss school or work. Unfortunately, they can also infect others who may not easily recover.”

In the Platte Valley alone, Dr. Dean Bartholomew of the Platte Valley Medical Clinic said 2012 was when he noticed flu season begin earlier than usual, with his first case coming in during late October. For 2013, however, he said the local flu season began early October.

“In years past our flu season began in February or March, but it began in late October last year and had a quite extensive four or five month timeframe,” he said. “This year the forecast is expected to be moderate, but we had our first case (Oct. 1) from a patient who went to the east coast and contracted it out there.”

Bartholomew said he has primarily seen typical flu cases, which include fever, cough and shortness of breath, and that treatment for those who have contracted the illness includes medications to decrease its length and severity. He said Tamiflu, an antivral drug licensed to prevent or slow the spread of the influenza virus, may also be given for certain cases.

“Tamiflu is given to young children or older adults with medical problems,” Bartholomew said. “We also recommend that people get their flu shots this year, which is the best thing they can do.”

Braund said influenza vaccines are available in many locations, including local public health offices, workplaces, doctors’ offices and retail stores.

“Flu vaccines are not expensive and many insurance policies reimburse patients for the costs,” she said. “This season new vaccine options are available in some locations, including some that offer protection from four strains of flu rather than three.”

In Wyoming, the cost of the vaccine itself is covered for many children by federal funding and the vaccine is distributed by WDH. Children who qualify include those covered by Medicaid, uninsured children, American Indian or Alaska native children and some children considered to be uninsured.

Braund said it is important to realize it takes about two weeks for flu vaccines to protect against the virus.

“Every year, unfortunately, we hear from folks who blame the vaccine for giving them the flu, which simply can’t happen,” she said. “If you’re exposed to the flu virus before the vaccine has had the time it needs to start protecting you, you may still become ill with influenza.”

According to the WDH, basic common-sense measures can also slow the spread of influenza such as covering your mouth and nose with your sleeve or a tissue when you sneeze and cough; frequently washing your hands; and staying home from work, school, daycare and errands when you are ill.