Flu shot calls flood hotline

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Residents are flooding an information hotline to find out where they can get flu vaccinations.

"It's really been just in the past two weeks that we've seen the big increase," said AUW president Irving Lauber. "Now we're getting as many calls in a week as we did during all of 2002."

Specialists who answer the phone give clinic addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation, fee information and eligibility requirements. Lauber said the 211 data base is updated daily as information comes in about which clinics have immunizations.

AUW launched 211 in July 2002 to help people find health and human services, not just information on flu or pneumonia shots, Lauber said. More than 50,000 people have called 211 this year.

Although interest in vaccinations has grown, the Department of Health continues to characterize the state's flu activity as "sporadic." As of Dec. 13, there were 25 confirmed cases of influenza in Hawai'i.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people in high-risk groups be vaccinated: those over 65, infants 6 to 23 months old, pregnant women in their first trimester and patients with chronic illnesses including diabetes, asthma and heart disease.

Once a person is vaccinated, the body makes protective antibodies in about two weeks, the CDC said.

The agency offers tips to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses such as the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick to prevent others from catching your illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands often to protect yourself from germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as that is how germs often are spread from your hands.

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.