Pepper
12-14-2004, 02:43 PM
Portland, Ore. - A 9-year-old Crook County girl has come down with Oregon's first laboratory-confirmed case of the flu.
The case has prompted Oregon's Department of Human Services to urge parents with children who are at high risk of complications from the flu to get them in for vaccination.
"There's no doubt that the flu is in Oregon," says Paul Cieslak with DHS. "This childhood case is a reminder to parents: if your child is in a high-risk group, now is the time to get them protected."
Children who are considered high-risk are those who are between 6 and 23 months of age or who have a chronic medical condition.
"There is still plenty of vaccine for kids," Cieslak says. "And with recent shipments of additional doses across the state, vaccine is also available for others in high priority groups."
Those who are considered as a high priority for the vaccine include:
# Children ages 6 to 23 months
# Adults ages 65 and older
# Anyone ages 2 to 64 with underlying chronic medical conditions
# Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
# Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
# Children ages 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
# Healthcare workers who deliver direct patient care
# Out of home caregivers and household contacts of children under 6 months
http://www.katu.com/health/story.asp?ID=73423
The case has prompted Oregon's Department of Human Services to urge parents with children who are at high risk of complications from the flu to get them in for vaccination.
"There's no doubt that the flu is in Oregon," says Paul Cieslak with DHS. "This childhood case is a reminder to parents: if your child is in a high-risk group, now is the time to get them protected."
Children who are considered high-risk are those who are between 6 and 23 months of age or who have a chronic medical condition.
"There is still plenty of vaccine for kids," Cieslak says. "And with recent shipments of additional doses across the state, vaccine is also available for others in high priority groups."
Those who are considered as a high priority for the vaccine include:
# Children ages 6 to 23 months
# Adults ages 65 and older
# Anyone ages 2 to 64 with underlying chronic medical conditions
# Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
# Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
# Children ages 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
# Healthcare workers who deliver direct patient care
# Out of home caregivers and household contacts of children under 6 months
http://www.katu.com/health/story.asp?ID=73423