Lifestyle

Flu vaccine now available in the Cayman islands

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  • The General Practice Clinic at the Cayman Islands Hospital, Faith Hospital in Cayman Brac and all District Health Centres, from 2:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • The Little Cayman Clinic: Residents of Little Cayman should contact the clinic to make arrangements.
  • To meet the demand in the initial period, the flu shot will also be available at the Cayman Islands Hospital Atrium (next to the Pharmacy) from October 20th to October -31st 2014 from 10am – noon on weekdays. Flu Shots will also be available at CayShop 2014, October 30 to November 1 at the Arc Cayman Bay.
  • Young children 6 months to four years of age, but especially those under two years.
  • Pregnant women
  • People 50 years of age and older
  • Persons of any age with weakened immune systems and those with chronic medical conditions such as heart, kidney and lung diseases, diabetes and persons who are obese.
  • People living in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
  1. Young children 6 months to 4 years of age, but especially those under 2 years.
  2. Pregnant women
  3. People 50 years of age and older
  4. Persons of any age over 6 months with weakened immune systems and those with chronic medical conditions such as heart, kidney and lung diseases , diabetes and morbidly obese people with a BMI of 40 or greater .
  5. People living in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
  • People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, include:
  1. Health care workers
  2. Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  3. Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
  • Children less than 6 months of age
  • People who have severe allergy to chicken or chicken eggs (the flu vaccine virus is grown on hens’ eggs)
  • People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past
  • People who developed Guillian-Barre’ syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting a vaccine previously.
  • People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated.
  • Nursing mothers should inform their doctor or nurse that they are breastfeeding before taking the flu shot.
  1. People may be exposed to an influenza virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period that it takes the body to gain protection after getting vaccinated. This exposure may result in a person becoming ill with flu before the vaccine begins to protect them.
  2. People may become ill from other (non-flu) viruses that circulate during the flu season, which can also cause flu-like symptoms (such as rhinovirus).
  3. A person may be exposed to an influenza virus that is not included in the seasonal flu vaccine as there are many different influenza viruses.
  4. Unfortunately, some people can remain unprotected from flu despite getting the vaccine. This is more likely to occur among people that have weakened immune systems. However, even among people with weakened immune systems, the flu vaccine can still help prevent influenza complications.
  • Seek medical attention right away.
  • Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when you got the flu shot.
  • East End 947-7440
  • North Side 947-9525
  • West Bay 949-3439
  • Bodden Town 947-2299

Published October 16, 2014

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