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November 30, 2006

R.I. officials: Time to roll up your sleeves for flu shots

PROVIDENCE -- A bevy of high-ranking state and federal health officials today urged Rhode Islanders to roll up their sleeves and get flu shots before peak flu season hits.

"Getting the flu causes even healthy people to miss work, disrupts their lives, and has important consequences for society,’’ Dr. David R.Gifford, director of the Rhode Island Health Department, said at a State House press conference today.

Gifford said it is especially important for health care workers, children younger than 5 years old, adults 50 or older, pregnant women and anyone with a chronic medical condition, including asthma, heart disease or diabetes.

"The good news is that it is not too late to vaccinate. This year there is plenty of flu vaccine available in the state and getting vaccinated in December, January or even later, will still provide significant protection against the flu,’’ Gifford said.

Find out more about flu, its symptoms and how to prevent it, from the state Department of Health.

-- Journal staff writer Scott MacKay

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 4:49 PM | Permalink

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