The Rhode Island Department of Health recently launched Rhode Island’s annual flu immunization campaign in collaboration with community partners, including East Bay Community Action Program and members of the East Providence Health Equity Zone community collaborative.

Dr. Ailis Clyne, medical director of the department’s Division of Community Health and Equity, discussed the dangers of the flu and the importance of flu shots for everyone older than six months of age. Flu vaccinations were also made available to attendees at the event, which was held at EBCAP in East Providence.

“Year in and year out, a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu. Limiting the spread of the flu by getting a flu shot is especially important if you spend time with younger children or the elderly, who are more susceptible to the effects of the flu,” Clyne said. “Flu shots are safe, effective, and easy to get in cities and towns across Rhode Island. Even if you don’t have health insurance or can’t afford a flu shot, there are places in Rhode Island where you can get vaccinated for free, like the public flu clinics that opened this week at schools across the state.”

Although doctors recommend flu shots for everyone older than six months of age, flu shots are especially important for certain people. They include the elderly, healthcare workers, younger children, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions. Examples of chronic medical conditions include diabetes, cancer, heart disease and asthma.

In addition to Clyne, the event at EBCAP was attended by Sarah Fessler, EBCAP’s chief medical officer and 2019 Rhode Island Childhood Immunization Champion; EBCAP Vice President of Family Development Rita Capotosto; and members of the East Providence HEZ Collaborative, including its project director, Albert Whitaker.

“Why do healthcare providers recommend that almost everyone should get a flu shot every year? Because every year, up to 80,000 people In the United States die of complications of influenza,” Fessler said. “Influenza is a preventable disease, and your best protection is the flu shot.”

The flu is a serious virus that can even be deadly. Last year, the flu sent 1,032 Rhode Islanders to the hospital and resulted in 39 deaths.

During the 2018-19 flu season. Rhode Island had the highest vaccination coverage rate among adults (56.3 percent) in the nation and the second-highest coverage rate among children (78.0 percent), according to data from the National Immunization Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

However, RIDOH is working to increase Rhode Island’s vaccination rate for the 2019-20 flu season. A list of evening flu clinics that are located at schools and are open to the entire community is available at health.ri.gov/flu. Flu shots are also available at other community clinics, doctors’ offices, and pharmacies.

After getting a flu shot, some people experience a slight ache or a low-grade fever. This means that the body is developing an immune response to the flu virus. These mild side effects are much less significant than the actual flu, which causes most people to stay in bed for a week. You absolutely cannot get the flu from the flu shot.

In addition to getting vaccinated against the flu, Rhode Islanders can take other steps to stay healthy and safe this flu season:

Wash your hands often throughout the day. Use warm water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand gel.

Cough or sneeze into your elbow. Flu is spread through coughing or sneezing on other people or into your hands. Cover your coughs and sneezes to prevent others from getting sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.

Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant.