Available in Spanish, Chinese and other languages: Call 311 or visit nyc.gov

New York City Department of Health and Mental HygieneGotham Center, 42-09 28th Street

L.I.C., New York 11101-4134

Bill de Blasio, MayorMary T. Bassett, MD, MPH, Commissioner

Health BulletinN E W Y O R K C I T Y D E P A R T M E N T O F H E A L T H A N D M E N T A L H Y G I E N E

# 1 0 4 i n a s e r i e s o f H e a l t h B u l l e t i n s o n i s s u e s o f p r e s s i n g i n t e r e s t t o a l l N e w Y o r k e r s

V O L U M E 1 4 , N U M B E R 3

Health BulletinN E W Y O R K C I T Y D E P A R T M E N T O F H E A L T H A N D M E N T A L H Y G I E N E

# 1 0 4 i n a s e r i e s o f H e a l t h B u l l e t i n s o n i s s u e s o f p r e s s i n g i n t e r e s t t o a l l N e w Y o r k e r s

V O L U M E 1 4 , N U M B E R 3

For Non-Emergency NYC Services Telephone Interpretation in More Than 170 Languages

DI6TCNY10E - 10.15

• Adults over 65

• Pregnant women

• Children younger than 5 years (especially thoseunder 2)

• People with certain health conditions, including:

• Diabetes

• Lung or heart disease

• Asthma

• Sickle cell anemia

• Kidney or liver disease

• Metabolic disorders

• Weakened immune system (such as from HIVor cancer treatment)

• Disorders that may cause breathing problems, such as seizure, nerve and muscle disorders

• People who are extremely overweight

• Children and teens (age 6 months to 18 years) whoare receiving long-term aspirin therapy

• People living in nursing homes or other care facilities

• American Indians and Alaskan Natives

People at Highest Risk

Call 311 or text flu to 877877 to find out where you can get the vaccine.

Get VACCINATED today.

Avoid influenza.

Get VACCINATED today.

Avoid influenza.

Everyone aged 6 months and up should get the flu vaccine each year.

Those in close contact with people at risk of complications, like health care workers and people who care for infants too young to be vaccinated, also need the vaccine.

A v o i d I n f l u e n z a . G e t V a c c i n a t e d T o d a y : V o l u m e 1 4 – N u m b e r 3 First Pr int ing: September 2003 – Revised/Reprinted: 09 /09 , 10/09 , 09/10 , 09/11 , 10/12 , 11/13 , 10/14 , 10/15

Influenza (flu) is a very contagious lung infection.

• It can make you miserable, with fever, cough, sore throatand muscle aches, causing you to miss work or family time.

• It can lead to serious health problems, like pneumonia,ear and sinus infections and dehydration.

• It can worsen existing health problems, like congestiveheart failure, asthma and diabetes.

Each year, thousands of New Yorkers die after getting influenza. In the 2014-15 flu season, over 140 U.S. children died, and thousands more had to be hospitalized. Don’t put your family at risk.

Protect your family from influenza.1. Get the vaccine.

• Everyone aged 6 months and older should get the vaccine.

• Get vaccinated every year. The vaccine is updated everyinfluenza season to protect you against new viruses.The vaccine can be given as a shot or a nasal spraycalled FluMist®.

• Don’t wait until peak influenza season (January to March)to get the vaccine. Get it in late summer or early fall,as soon as it’s ready. Still, a late vaccine is much betterthan no vaccine.

2. Don’t spread germs.

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.Use a tissue or the inside of your elbow — not your hand.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water oruse an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• If you get sick, stay home from work or school until yourfever has been gone for at least 24 hours (without feverreducing medicine).

3. Learn about antiviral drugs.

• If you already have influenza, antivirals can help you getbetter faster.

• If you are at high risk for influenza complications (see Peopleat Highest Risk), getting antivirals early can help stop youfrom getting seriously sick.

• Antivirals can help if you are already sick, but the flu vaccineis the best way to prevent influenza.

For copies of any Health BulletinFor all Health Bulletins, visit nyc.gov and search for Health Bulletin.

For a free email subscription, visit nyc.gov/health/email.

Find a flu vaccine location.• Ask your family doctor or primary care provider.

• Try your nearest pharmacy — many offer vaccines to adults18 years and older.

• Check if your workplace offers the vaccine.

• Visit an NYC Health Department immunization clinic oran NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation hospital/clinic.These locations give free or low-cost flu vaccines to allpatients and visitors.

• Search locations by neighborhood or zip code. Call 311or text flu to 877877*

* Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to quit, HELP for more information. For Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, visit nyc.gov/health.Under the Affordable Care Act,

many health insurance plans must cover the flu vaccine at no cost to you.

Check with your insurance company.

All children 6 months to 5 years of age who attend a New York City-licensed child care or nursery school, Head Start or pre-Kindergarten must get one dose of the flu vaccine between July 1 and December 31 every year.

Deadline for Kids in Child Care

A v o i d I n f l u e n z a . G e t V a c c i n a t e d T o d a y : V o l u m e 1 4 – N u m b e r 3 First Pr int ing: September 2003 – Revised/Reprinted: 09 /09 , 10/09 , 09/10 , 09/11 , 10/12 , 11/13 , 10/14 , 10/15

Influenza (flu) is a very contagious lung infection.

• It can make you miserable, with fever, cough, sore throatand muscle aches, causing you to miss work or family time.

• It can lead to serious health problems, like pneumonia,ear and sinus infections and dehydration.

• It can worsen existing health problems, like congestiveheart failure, asthma and diabetes.

Each year, thousands of New Yorkers die after getting influenza. In the 2014-15 flu season, over 140 U.S. children died, and thousands more had to be hospitalized. Don’t put your family at risk.

Protect your family from influenza.1. Get the vaccine.

• Everyone aged 6 months and older should get the vaccine.

• Get vaccinated every year. The vaccine is updated everyinfluenza season to protect you against new viruses.The vaccine can be given as a shot or a nasal spraycalled FluMist®.

• Don’t wait until peak influenza season (January to March)to get the vaccine. Get it in late summer or early fall,as soon as it’s ready. Still, a late vaccine is much betterthan no vaccine.

2. Don’t spread germs.

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.Use a tissue or the inside of your elbow — not your hand.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water oruse an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• If you get sick, stay home from work or school until yourfever has been gone for at least 24 hours (without feverreducing medicine).

3. Learn about antiviral drugs.

• If you already have influenza, antivirals can help you getbetter faster.

• If you are at high risk for influenza complications (see Peopleat Highest Risk), getting antivirals early can help stop youfrom getting seriously sick.

• Antivirals can help if you are already sick, but the flu vaccineis the best way to prevent influenza.

For copies of any Health BulletinFor all Health Bulletins, visit nyc.gov and search for Health Bulletin.

For a free email subscription, visit nyc.gov/health/email.

Find a flu vaccine location.• Ask your family doctor or primary care provider.

• Try your nearest pharmacy — many offer vaccines to adults18 years and older.

• Check if your workplace offers the vaccine.

• Visit an NYC Health Department immunization clinic oran NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation hospital/clinic.These locations give free or low-cost flu vaccines to allpatients and visitors.

• Search locations by neighborhood or zip code. Call 311or text flu to 877877*

* Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to quit, HELP for more information. For Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, visit nyc.gov/health.Under the Affordable Care Act,

many health insurance plans must cover the flu vaccine at no cost to you.

Check with your insurance company.

All children 6 months to 5 years of age who attend a New York City-licensed child care or nursery school, Head Start or pre-Kindergarten must get one dose of the flu vaccine between July 1 and December 31 every year.

Deadline for Kids in Child Care

A v o i d I n f l u e n z a . G e t V a c c i n a t e d T o d a y : V o l u m e 1 4 – N u m b e r 3 First Pr int ing: September 2003 – Revised/Reprinted: 09 /09 , 10/09 , 09/10 , 09/11 , 10/12 , 11/13 , 10/14 , 10/15

Influenza (flu) is a very contagious lung infection.

• It can make you miserable, with fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches, causing you to miss work or family time.

• It can lead to serious health problems, like pneumonia, ear and sinus infections and dehydration.

• It can worsen existing health problems, like congestive heart failure, asthma and diabetes.

Each year, thousands of New Yorkers die after getting influenza. In the 2014-15 flu season, over 140 U.S. children died, and thousands more had to be hospitalized. Don’t put your family at risk.

Protect your family from influenza.1. Get the vaccine.

• Everyone aged 6 months and older should get the vaccine.

• Get vaccinated every year. The vaccine is updated every influenza season to protect you against new viruses. The vaccine can be given as a shot or a nasal spray called FluMist®.

• Don’t wait until peak influenza season (January to March) to get the vaccine. Get it in late summer or early fall, as soon as it’s ready. Still, a late vaccine is much better than no vaccine.

2. Don’t spread germs.

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or the inside of your elbow — not your hand.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• If you get sick, stay home from work or school until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours (without fever reducing medicine).

3. Learn about antiviral drugs.

• If you already have influenza, antivirals can help you get better faster.

• If you are at high risk for influenza complications (see People at Highest Risk), getting antivirals early can help stop you from getting seriously sick.

• Antivirals can help if you are already sick, but the flu vaccine is the best way to prevent influenza.

For copies of any Health BulletinFor all Health Bulletins, visit nyc.gov and search for Health Bulletins.

For a free email subscription, visit nyc.gov/health/email.

Find a flu vaccine location.• Ask your family doctor or primary care provider.

• Try your nearest pharmacy — many offer vaccines to adults 18 years and older.

• Check if your workplace offers the vaccine.

• Visit an NYC Health Department immunization clinic or an NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation hospital/clinic. These locations give free or low-cost flu vaccines to all patients and visitors.

• Search locations by neighborhood or zip code. Call 311 or text flu to 877877*

* Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to quit, HELP for more information. For Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, visit nyc.gov/health. Under the Affordable Care Act,

many health insurance plans must cover the flu vaccine at no cost to you.

Check with your insurance company.

All children 6 months to 5 years of age who attend a New York City-licensed child care or nursery school, Head Start or pre-kindergarten must get one dose of the flu vaccine between July 1 and December 31 every year.

Deadline for Kids in Child Care

Available in Spanish, Chinese and other languages: Call 311 or visit nyc.gov

New York City Department of Health and Mental HygieneGotham Center, 42-09 28th Street

L.I.C., New York 11101-4134

Bill de Blasio, MayorMary T. Bassett, MD, MPH, Commissioner

Health BulletinN E W Y O R K C I T Y D E P A R T M E N T O F H E A L T H A N D M E N T A L H Y G I E N E

# 1 0 4 i n a s e r i e s o f H e a l t h B u l l e t i n s o n i s s u e s o f p r e s s i n g i n t e r e s t t o a l l N e w Y o r k e r s

V O L U M E 1 4 , N U M B E R 3

Health BulletinN E W Y O R K C I T Y D E P A R T M E N T O F H E A L T H A N D M E N T A L H Y G I E N E

# 1 0 4 i n a s e r i e s o f H e a l t h B u l l e t i n s o n i s s u e s o f p r e s s i n g i n t e r e s t t o a l l N e w Y o r k e r s

V O L U M E 1 4 , N U M B E R 3

For Non-Emergency NYC Services Telephone Interpretation in More Than 170 Languages

DI6TCNY10E - 10.15

• Adults over 65

• Pregnant women

• Children younger than 5 years (especially thoseunder 2)

• People with certain health conditions, including:

• Diabetes

• Lung or heart disease

• Asthma

• Sickle cell anemia

• Kidney or liver disease

• Metabolic disorders

• Weakened immune system (such as from HIVor cancer treatment)

• Disorders that may cause breathing problems, such as seizure, nerve and muscle disorders

• People who are extremely overweight

• Children and teens (age 6 months to 18 years) whoare receiving long-term aspirin therapy

• People living in nursing homes or other care facilities

• American Indians and Alaskan Natives

People at Highest Risk

Call 311 or text flu to 877877 to find out where you can get the vaccine.

Get VACCINATED today.

Avoid influenza.

Get VACCINATED today.

Avoid influenza.

Everyone aged 6 months and up should get the flu vaccine each year.

Those in close contact with people at risk of complications, like health care workers and people who care for infants too young to be vaccinated, also need the vaccine.

Available in Spanish, Chinese and other languages: Call 311 or visit nyc.gov

New York City Department of Health and Mental HygieneGotham Center, 42-09 28th Street

L.I.C., New York 11101-4134

Bill de Blasio, MayorMary T. Bassett, MD, MPH, Commissioner

Health BulletinN E W Y O R K C I T Y D E P A R T M E N T O F H E A L T H A N D M E N T A L H Y G I E N E

# 1 0 4 i n a s e r i e s o f H e a l t h B u l l e t i n s o n i s s u e s o f p r e s s i n g i n t e r e s t t o a l l N e w Y o r k e r s

V O L U M E 1 4 , N U M B E R 3

Health BulletinN E W Y O R K C I T Y D E P A R T M E N T O F H E A L T H A N D M E N T A L H Y G I E N E

# 1 0 4 i n a s e r i e s o f H e a l t h B u l l e t i n s o n i s s u e s o f p r e s s i n g i n t e r e s t t o a l l N e w Y o r k e r s

V O L U M E 1 4 , N U M B E R 3

For Non-Emergency NYC Services Telephone Interpretation in More Than 170 Languages

DI6TCNY10E - 10.15

• Adults over 65

• Pregnant women

• Children younger than 5 years (especially thoseunder 2)

• People with certain health conditions, including:

• Diabetes

• Lung or heart disease

• Asthma

• Sickle cell anemia

• Kidney or liver disease

• Metabolic disorders

• Weakened immune system (such as from HIVor cancer treatment)

• Disorders that may cause breathing problems, such as seizure, nerve and muscle disorders

• People who are extremely overweight

• Children and teens (age 6 months to 18 years) whoare receiving long-term aspirin therapy

• People living in nursing homes or other care facilities

• American Indians and Alaskan Natives

People at Highest Risk

Call 311 or text flu to 877877 to find out where you can get the vaccine.

Get VACCINATED today.

Avoid influenza.

Get VACCINATED today.

Avoid influenza.

Everyone aged 6 months and up should get the flu vaccine each year.

Those in close contact with people at risk of complications, like health care workers and people who care for infants too young to be vaccinated, also need the vaccine.