>> A growing health alert now doctors are urging people to get their flu shot after
Florida reported its first 2
flu deaths, both of those cases
involve children who had not
and given the vaccine. Right
now the flu is only considered
regional by the way by the CDC
with most cases reported in the
Tampa and Miami areas.
But 16 other states have
reported it as widespread.
Reports in our area are also
higher than they were this time
last year so keep that
in mind. Doctor Pauline Rolle
is the interim the um health
officer at the Duval County
Health Department and joining
us this morning, a doctoral
thank you for being here as
soon as we heard about the 2
desperate to the fact that they
involve children.
We know that a vaccine is
available for children and
adults obviously we ask you to
come in because the reality is
is that
you know if you and I are not
sick with flu. It doesn’t mean
it isn’t going around and they
can be deadly.
Your message to our viewers who
are watching who might think
well you’re supposed to get
your flu shot in October.
I didn’t on good this season,
maybe I just won’t get one this
year as I don’t wait vaccinate
it’s not too late to get the
vaccination we’re offering
across the city including at
the floor department health in
Duval County. There are other
entities they get to their
private provider or even
through like I’m some of the
pharmacies in the community
also offer it. So it’s not too
late certainly.
I know that these cases did the
originate from Jacksonville do
you know anything about the 2
children who died as a result
of the flu of flu related
illness. Well what I do know as
you stated is they had not been
vaccinated I’m at the time of
death and certainly it doesn’t
mean that those parents did
intend to do that I’m just
like you said some are haven’t
done it
and people must remember area
of a foot strains of flu that
are
available are out all year But
we see it mostly during this
time of the year
and so folks should and that
delay getting it done for show
why is it this time of the
years of because people are in
in such close contact maybe
because of the weather.
>> And as you know it’s colder
this time of year is there
something in particular
combination of factors.
>> We have see low levels of
flu throughout the year.
But certainly during the winter
and spring.
We see levels and a lot of it
is you have close contact with
folks people have colds a
nose cough. And oftentimes they
do acquire the flu virus this
time
of year, sometimes to a
initially presents has a cold
with no fever and
then progresses, so I’d like to
take a county by County look
also on you know the concern in
the risk in our area.
>> Locally Duvall County we’ve
not seen any
widespread problems correct
really Putnam counties at mild
activity at this point yes and
we are also at mild activity
while but the activity is
increasing across the state for
sure okay Putnam County, I’m
sorry isn’t moderate activity I
regardless the point is is that it is here in the state of Florida people can travel and
as a result the flu can spread
easily. That said a lot of
times people also say will not
get the flu shot because
they have to make this sort of
determination months what
strains will be the issue did
they get it right this year do
we know yet.
Yes current vaccines that are
out do cover the one that’s
most prevalent right now
influenza B Victoria
and so that strain is covered
by the current vaccines.
So yes, they did get it right.
But the main thing is we want people remember that the whole point is to prevent the spread
of flu throughout the community
and also to prevent deaths
and it’s not just about you
being covered, but it’s also to
be able to cover those who
can’t
be vaccinated so we start
vaccinating 6 months of age so
you 2 can’t
be vaccinated but at some point
that she was an adult get the
flu vaccine to so that you
don’t get the disease and
spread it in your house to your
child yet who would and could
because as we know the elderly
and particularly the very young
are highly susceptible to
morsi severe complications as a
result of that getting the
fluency symptoms of flu.
Feet make fever or
not so it’s not definitive.
You don’t always get a fever
Chills body aches cough runny
nose. Vomiting
and so I can also look like
other things and so it’s
important for people to
recognize that as well but
people off the staff felt like
I was hit by a
Mack truck. And so that’s often
a sign that maybe it’s
something more severe than
just comical and you we have
information that I’d like to
show our viewers as well and
you touched on at the beginning
of the interview
remind us the Health Department
and where they’re offering the
for the flu shot.
We have 2 locations, one
looking on pro Street and the
other on University Boulevard.
The floor department health
into account his to free
standing invitation centers.
We offer free vaccines up to
age 18 into a limited number of
adults who qualify. After all