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Media Contact: Kitty Loewy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
708-492-2015 pager: 708-643-9432
www.cookcountypublichealth.org


The Cook County Department of Public Health is pleased to announce the availability of flu shots for residents who are most at-risk for serious illness. The vaccine will be available free of charge at walk-in clinics to people who meet the eligibility requirements determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Our agency is happy to provide this important service to our residents who have been quite patient during a trying time," said CCDPH Chief Operating Officer, Stephen A. Martin, Jr., Ph.D, MPH. "The Illinois Department of Public Health was able to set aside 10 thousand doses for us and we are most grateful. We anticipate having plenty of vaccine for those in need."

CCDPH will hold shot clinics at four district sites in addition to distributing vaccine to community groups, townships and organizations that have requested vaccine.

The delay in vaccine availability was caused by the October announcement from vaccine manufacturer Chiron Corporation that its vaccine supply would not be released for the 2004-2005 flu season. Chiron, whose license was suspended by British officials, was scheduled to provide almost 50 million doses to the U.S.,
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approximately half of the vaccine that would be needed for this flu season.

"We are fortunate that so far the flu season has been light, which gives us an advantage in protecting the public from illness," Martin said. According to the CDC, flu activity in Illinois has been sporadic, meaning that surveillance has detected flu in scattered areas throughout the state, including suburban Cook County. Protection from the flu begins about two weeks following immunization. Getting vaccinated now provides protection for the entire flu season which continues through March.

Influenza, commonly called the flu, is caused by a virus that infects the nose, throat and lungs. Generally, the flu includes symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Flu is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person, primarily when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The flu kills almost 36,000 people yearly in the U.S. and hospitalizes 200,000, 90% of them age 65 and older.

CCDPH will only administer vaccine to residents who live in suburban Cook County and can show proof of residency (driver's license, utility or tax bill, voter's registration card or state i.d.). In addition, residents must meet one of the following eligibility requirements determined by the CDC to receive vaccine:
• Children age 6 months to 23 months
• Persons age 2 years and older with underlying chronic medical conditions such as asthma or other lung disease, heart, blood, kidney disease, diabetes or immunosuppressed conditions -more-
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• Women who are pregnant
• Adults age 65 and older
• Health care workers with direct patient care
• Anyone who lives with/or cares for children less than 6 months of age

CCDPH will hold clinics at the following locations:

North: Rolling Meadows
3rd District Courthouse Bldg
2121 Euclid Ave.
Monday, Dec. 6: 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday, Dec. 10: 9:00 am – 11:00 am

South: Markham
6th District Courthouse Bldg.
16501 S. Kedzie Pkwy.
Tuesday, Dec. 7: 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm

West: Maywood
Eisenhower Tower
1701 S. First Ave.
Wednesday, Dec 8: 9:30 am – 11:30 am

Southwest: Bridgeview
5th District Courthouse Bldg.
10220 S. 76th Ave.
Thursday, Dec. 9: 4:00 pm -6:00 pm

People seeking flu shots may have to wait in line. Residents who have trouble standing are advised to bring a folding chair to the clinic. The public is urged to not come to the clinics prior to the start time listed; as there will be no place to wait inside. Clinics will provide flu shots until the supply is gone.
Pneumococcal vaccine will also be available. Please check the flu hotline at 708-492-2185 for vaccine availability or log onto: www.cookcountypublichealth.org.