The Department of Public Health (DPH)Epidemiology and Emerging
Infections Program maintains influenza surveillance by tracking the results of
reported flu tests. Flu updates are prepared on a weekly basis using the
surveillance data. These weekly updates are posted on the DPH Flu Statistics
page throughout the influenza season, which runs from October through May.
This update provides information on the circulating flu types and a breakdown
of the cases by sex, age group, and county of residence. To access that information, click on <Influenza Statistics> above.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES (ACIP) RECOMMENDATIONS
The 2008 recommendations include five principal changes or updates:
- Beginning with the 2008--09 influenza season, annual vaccination of all children aged 5--18 years is recommended. Annual vaccination of all children aged 5--18 years should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available for the 2008--09 influenza season, if feasible, but annual vaccination of all children aged 5--18 years should begin no later than during the 2009--10 influenza season.
- Annual vaccination of all children aged 6 months--4 years (59 months) and older children with conditions that place them at increased risk for complications from influenza should continue. Children and adolescents at high risk for influenza complications should continue to be a focus of vaccination efforts as providers and programs transition to routinely vaccinating all children.
- Either TIV or LAIV can be used when vaccinating healthy persons aged 2--49 years. Children aged 6 months--8 years should receive 2 doses of vaccine if they have not been vaccinated previously at any time with either LAIV or TIV (doses separated by >4 weeks); 2 doses are required for protection in these children. Children aged 6 months--8 years who received only 1 dose in their first year of vaccination should receive 2 doses the following year. LAIV should not be administered to children aged <5 years with possible reactive airways disease, such as those who have had recurrent wheezing or a recent wheezing episode. Children with possible reactive airways disease, persons at higher risk for influenza complications because of underlying medical conditions, children aged 6--23 months, and persons aged >49 years should receive TIV.
- The 2008--09 trivalent vaccine virus strains are A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1)-like, A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like, and B/Florida/4/2006-like antigens
Finding A Flu Vaccination Site:
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Check with your usual heath care provider for availability of influenza vaccinations
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Contact the Immunization Program at 860-509-7929 M-F 8-4:30 for assistance in finding a community provider of influenza vaccinations
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Vote and Vaccinate- On election day, November 4, 2008, the Immunization
Program in collaboration with the American Lung Assocation-CT and the Connecticut Public Health Association will assist several local communities in this National effort to offer influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations at designated polling places. Any person, whether they vote or not, is eligible to receive vaccinations.
