Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae, the influenza viruses. In people, common symptoms of influenza are fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, and weakness and fatigue.

HEALTH Kicks Off Immunize for Life Adult Flu Program October 17

Flu :: HEALTH Kicks Off Immunize for Life Adult Flu Program October 17

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) announces that the state-wide start date for adult flu shots will be Wednesday, October 17, 2007.

The 2007/2008 flu season marks the first year of Immunize For Life—the adult flu program. Legislation was passed in July 2006 mandating HEALTH to purchase and distribute adult flu vaccine in Rhode Island.

“We are pleased to be kicking off this new, more efficient approach to adult influenza immunization,” said Director of Health, David R. Gifford, MD, MPH. “All adult providers and facilities enrolled in the program will receive a sufficient quantity of vaccine so that they can start their vaccination efforts on October 17”.

HEALTH has ordered a total of 258,000 doses of vaccine for the adult flu program. The first round of deliveries to adult providers and facilities will occur this week.

In addition to private providers, there are 519 public flu clinics scheduled in Rhode Island.

Recently posted related articles on Flu :

1. Bird Flu :: Need for preparedness for potential flu pandemic
2. Flu :: No Vacation for Flu Virus
3. Bird Flu :: 12 year Indonesian boy dies of bird flu
4. Foot and Mouth Disease :: Smiths Detection to launch a portable diagnostic system for foot-and-mouth disease and avian flu
5. Bird Flu :: Grid computing offers new hope in race against bird flu
6. Bird Flu :: Mutated bird flu virus more infectious to humans
7. Bird Flu :: Researchers identify key step bird flu virus takes to spread readily in humans
8. Bird Flu :: Avian influenza – situation in Indonesia – update 17
9. Bird Flu :: Depopulation of birds complete at Saskatchewan farm, Canada
10. Vaccine :: American College of Physicians recommends flu vaccination for health-care workers