Free Flu Vaccine Program 2009:         

On Thursday, September 24, 2009, the Chinese American Medical Society (CAMS), Chinese American Independent Practice Association (CAIPA), Charles B. Wang Community Health Center (CBWCHC), New York Downtown Hospital (NYDH), and SUNY Downstate Medical Center - School of Medicine's CAMS Club held a joint press conference to promote good personal hygiene for the upcoming flu season, advise the public to get the seasonal influenza vaccination (flu shot), and publicize their free flu vaccine program.  Dr. George Liu, president of CAIPA, said that the annual free flu vaccine program for Chinese Americans in New York exemplifies the cooperation of three important organizations, namely the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, Chinese American Independent Physician Association, and Chinese American Medical Society.  The "Big Three" represent the commitment of Chinese American physicians to serve the private sector, the indigent, and the newly arrived immigrants and to meet the needs of the blossoming Chinese American population in New York.

In line with this commitment, the flu vaccine program will provide vaccinations at no cost for uninsured community members through the CAMS/CAIPA Community Service Fund.  Dr. Liu announced that CAIPA's members donated 950 doses of the influenza vaccine to CBWCHC, NYDH, and SUNY Downstate Medical Center - School of Medicine's CAMS Club.  Out of those doses, 400 will be donated to CBWCHC, 400 will be donated to NYDH, and 150 will be donated to SUNY Downstate Medical Center - School of Medicine's CAMS Club.

The vaccine is recommended for people over the age of 50, children ages 6 months to 18 years, pregnant women, health care workers, and people working or living with the elderly or young children.  Dr. Warren Chin, vice president and chairman of public relations for CAMS, particularly encouraged people at risk for heart attacks, including those with diabetes or cardiovascular disease, to get the flu shot.  Research published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases suggests that the flu can trigger heart attacks and increase the risk of dying from heart disease.  Many heart attacks, deaths, and cases of the flu can be prevented if people with chronic illnesses get the flu shot.

In addition to getting the flu vaccine, people can reduce their chances of infection and help prevent the spread of the flu by practicing good personal hygiene.  Dr. Eric Poon, chairman of the department of pediatrics at NYDH, offered the following tips:

• Use a tissue when sneezing or coughing to avoid spreading germs into the air.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after contact with others to avoid spreading germs from your hands to your nose or mouth.
• Stay home if you are ill to avoid spreading the illness to others.

Dr. Perry Pong, chief medical officer of CBWCHC, explained that the flu virus remains a serious matter for the public.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year on average, more than 226,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die from complications of the flu.  Despite these statistics, only 36% of people ages 50-64 and 66% of people ages 65 and older received the flu shot last year.

This year, the H1N1 "swine" flu is of particular concern.  H1N1, which has been circulating since spring 2009, is expected to increase this fall with the return of children to school.  Dr. Pong explained that H1N1 causes the same symptoms as the regular flu, such as fever over 100°F, cough or sore throat, body aches, chills, headache, tiredness.  H1N1 is different from the regular flu because it has affected mostly young adults and children.

People should stay home if they are ill with flu-like symptoms for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone to avoid spreading the flu.  A patient with the flu should see the doctor promptly if they are: having trouble breathing, eating, or drinking; becoming confused; having fever and rash; high risk, such as pregnant women or those with serious medical conditions.

A vaccine for H1N1 is expected to be available sometime in October.  It is currently recommended for the following groups:

• Children and young adults 6 months to 24 years old
• Adults up to age 64 with significant medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and other conditions
• Health care workers
• Caretakers of young children, especially those under 6 months of age
• Pregnant women

Because there were few cases of H1N1 flu in people over 65 this year, the CDC is not recommending that people over 65 get the H1N1 vaccination.  However, people over 65 are strongly recommended to get the seasonal flu vaccine because they are at high risk of having severe seasonal flu.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH) will distribute the H1N1 vaccine as it becomes available to hospitals, health centers, doctor's offices, and schools. More information on where and how to get the shot and whether one can get the nasal spray form instead of the shot will be available later.

For those interested in the free flu vaccine program, the schedule of events is as follows:

Organization	Date and Time	Place	Pre-registration and Contact Information
Charles B. Wang Community Health Center	10/10 (Saturday)   9 am - 12 pm 10/17 (Sunday)   10 am - 1 pm	268 Canal Street, 1/F Chinatown 136-26 37th Avenue Flushing	Pre-registration is required for Chinatown site.  Call the CBWCHC Health Education Department at (212) 966-0461 between 9 am and 5 pm.
New York Downtown Hospital	10/17 (Saturday)   10 am - 1 pm 10/19 (Monday)   10 am - 3 pm	Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) 62 Mott Street, 2/F New York, NY 10038 Fukien American Association, Inc. 125 East Broadway New York, NY 10002	No appointments necessary
SUNY Downstate Medical Center - CAMS Club	To be confirmed		No appointments necessary