TULSA, OK – [January 9, 2014] \u2013\u00a0Due to an increase in flu-related hospitalizations in Oklahoma, the Tulsa Health Department encourages all individuals six months and older to get a flu vaccination. The best prevention against the flu is to receive the vaccine.<\/p>\n
Five deaths were reported in the state during the last week. One death per county has occurred among residents of Tulsa, Kay, LeFlore, Osage and Pittsburg counties.<\/p>\n
According to Oklahoma State Department of Health, influenza-associated hospitalizations have nearly doubled in the past week, increasing from 126 to 242 as of January 7. Since Sept. 29, 2013, the largest number of flu-related hospitalizations has been reported among persons aged 50 to 64 (29%) and 65 and older (29%), followed by adults 18 to 49 years (26%), children less than 4 years (13%), and 5 to 17 years (3%).<\/p>\n
\u201cIndividuals who receive the flu vaccine are not only protecting themselves but also those around them, including babies too young to receive a vaccination,\u201d said Tulsa Health Department Director Dr. Bruce Dart. \u201cWe still have flu vaccine available, so if you haven\u2019t already, now is the time to get your flu vaccination.\u201d<\/p>\n
The flu vaccine is offered to anyone over the age of six months on a walk-in basis Mondays through Thursdays 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Fridays 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the following Tulsa Health Department locations:<\/p>\n
James O. Goodwin Health Center located at 5051 S. 129th E. Avenue, Tulsa, OK
\nCentral Regional Health Center located at 315 S. Utica, Tulsa, OK
\nNorth Regional Health and Wellness Center located at 5635 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Tulsa, OK<\/p>\n
\u2003
\nThe flu vaccine is also offered at the following locations:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bixby Health Center
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8120 E. 126th Street
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bixby, OK 74008
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Call (918) 369-3155 for clinic dates and times<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Collinsville Health Center
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1201 W. Center
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Collinsville, OK 74021
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Call (918) 596-8650 for clinic dates and times<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sand Springs Health Center
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 306 E. Broadway
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sand Springs, OK\u00a074063
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Call (918) 591-6100 for clinic dates and times<\/p>\n
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone six months and older. Vaccination is especially important for those persons at high risk from flu complications including people 50 years of age and older, young children, persons with chronic lung disease (such as asthma and COPD), diabetes (type 1 and 2), heart disease, neurologic conditions, other long-term health conditions, and pregnant women.<\/p>\n
In addition to getting your flu shot, the Tulsa Health Department reminds you to follow these prevention tips:<\/p>\n
Frequent hand washing using soap and water, or alcohol-based products such as hand gels when hands are not visibly soiled.
\nMake \u201crespiratory hygiene\u201d a habit, including use of tissues to cover coughs and sneezes, then disposing of them and washing hands at once. When tissues are not readily available, use your sleeve, never your hands.
\nStay home from work, school, and other public places if you are ill.<\/p>\n
Please visit\u00a0click here\u00a0or call the Tulsa Health Department at 918-582-WELL (9355) for more information about flu vaccine, including cost information.\u00a0Visit\u00a0www.health.ok.gov\u00a0for Oklahoma flu updates posted every Thursday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TULSA, OK – [January 9, 2014] \u2013\u00a0Due to an increase in flu-related hospitalizations in Oklahoma, the Tulsa Health Department encourages all individuals six months and older to get a flu vaccination. The best prevention against the flu is to receive the vaccine. Five deaths were reported in the state during the last week. One death […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n