Mineola, NY - Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) would like to assure residents that the influenza vaccine currently available in Nassau County is being provided to Nassau County residents at high risk for complications. According to Legislator Jacobs, when additional supplies of vaccine become available they will be directed to those providers who need it the most. “ Nassau County hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities have been contacted to identify their influenza vaccine needs and status, said Legislator Jacobs. “Although high risk patients will be first to receive the vaccination, there are still many simple ways residents can protect themselves from the spread of germs.”

An estimated 25% of the Nassau County population (between 300,000 – 350,000 residents) are considered at high risk, including children under age 2 years, adults 65 years and older, individuals between 2 and 64 years with underlying medical conditions, women who will be pregnant during influenza season, residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities, children 6 months – 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy, health care workers with direct patient care contact and out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children under age 6 months.

“To date there is no reported flu activity in Nassau County. By following these simple steps residents can take a more proactive approach in preventing the spread of influenza,” added Jacobs.

• Avoid close contact
• Stay home when you are sick , if possible.
• Cover your cough or sneeze .
• Clean your hands .
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth .
• Maintain a healthy life style
• Getting plenty of sleep
• Engaging in physical activity
• Managing stress
• Drinking water
• Eating nutritious food
• Avoid tobacco use

As the supply of available vaccine is released by the CDC and Aventis Pasteur, the Nassau County hospitals, nursing homes, long term care facilities, the medical societies and their member physicians and the Departments of Health and Senior Citizen Affairs will continue to work together to ensure that the vaccine will be administered to those identified by the CDC as priority groups for vaccination.

Residents can obtain information about the flu vaccine by calling 571-2500 or by visiting the Health Department's web site at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/health/index.html