The Kentucky Department for Public Health reported the first two laboratory-confirmed influenza cases in their weekly report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indicating the presence of flu circulating in Kentucky. The cases are from Jefferson and Kenton counties.
The flu season in Kentucky typically begins in October or November. Kentuckians are encouraged to get a flu vaccine as soon as their health provider has vaccine in stock, because it takes about two weeks for immunity to develop and offer protection against the flu. Vaccination can be given any time during the flu season.
Adequate supplies of flu vaccine are expected to be available for this year’s season. However, it is advisable for Kentuckians to check with their provider’s office, local health department or pharmacy first, to verify they have vaccine on hand before seeking vaccination.
A flu vaccine is recommended for all individuals 6 months of age and older. People who are strongly encouraged to receive the flu vaccine because they may be at higher risk for complications or negative consequences include:
Children age 6 months through 4 years;
Pregnant women;
People 50 years old or older;
People aged 6 months and older with chronic health problems;
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities;
Health care workers, household contacts and caregivers or people who live with a person at high risk for complications from the flu;
Out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months old.
Healthy, non-pregnant people aged 2 through 49 years can be vaccinated with either the flu shot or the nasal vaccine spray. Children aged 6 months through 8 years who have never received a previous seasonal flu vaccination or have only received one flu vaccination in the past should receive a second dose four or more weeks after their first vaccination. Health professionals can help determine if a child will need two vaccinations against flu this season, in order to provide the best protection.
In addition to flu vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults aged 65 years and older receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13, Prevnar-13) in addition to the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23, Pneumovax-23) spaced at least one year apart. Getting both vaccines offers the best protection against pneumococcal disease. Between 3,000 and 49,000 influenza-associated deaths occur nationally each year, with more than 90 percent of those deaths occurring in people aged 65 years and older.
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