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Flu Clinic Locator

Maine CDC Home > Influenza 2007-2008

Influenza 2007-2008

Weekly Influenza Surveillance Reports

Welcome to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention influenza web site. Maine CDC is committed to providing health care providers and residents of the State of Maine with the information necessary to prevent and control the spread of influenza.

 

...First Look

Influenza Activity on the Rise: CDC Urges Mainers to Take Precautions  Word  PDF

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The “Fifth Guy” campaign illustrates a simple point – most people respect certain hygienic norms. They stay home when they are sick. They cover their cough with their arm or a tissue. And they wash their hands, especially after using the restroom.

The American Society for Microbiology sent researchers into public rest rooms to watch what people do. They found that four out of five people wash their hands after using the restroom. Thus was born the campaign’s central character: the “Fifth Guy.” In the ads, this fifth guy — played by a wonderful comic actor named Ben Spring — keeps making the wrong choices and suffering the social consequences as a result. The take-away message is: Unless you are staying home when sick, covering your cough with an arm or a tissue, and washing your hands often, you’re a fifth guy, an outlier. That’s the motivation. No one wants to be a fifth guy — to be that one person everyone whispers about.

This link will take you to YouTube where you can view the 5th Guy commercial

This link will take you to the 5th Guy home page

We've also updated several of the campaign posters with our Maine CDC logo

used with permission of the Florida Health Department

 

 

Recruiting Maine Influenza Sentinel Providers Now!

Influenza sentinel providers conduct surveillance for influenza-like illness in collaboration with Maine CDC and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In combination with other influenza surveillance information, data from sentinel providers may be used to guide prevention and control activities, vaccine strain selection, patient care, and detection of new pathogenic organisms, such as the A:H5N1 avian strain. Providers of family practice, internal medicine, OB/GYN, pediatrics, infectious disease specialties in private practice, public health clinics, urgent care centers, emergency medicine, and university student health centers are eligible to be sentinel providers.
For more information on Influenza Sentinel Provider Surveillance, contact Anne Redmond Sites, phone toll free 800-821-5821, fax 207-287-8186 or email anne.sites@maine.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need a flu shot?

Federal CDC recommends the following groups receive influenza vaccine for the 2007-08 season:

  • All children aged 6 months through 4 years
  • Persons aged 50 years and older
  • Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
  • Children and adults with certain chronic health conditions
  • Pregnant women
  • Healthcare personnel
  • Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children aged less than 60 months and adults greater than 49 years, with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children aged less than 6 months

2. Where can I get a flu shot?

The Maine CDC distributes vaccine to Maine providers enrolled in the Maine Immunization Program. This vaccine is to be administered to high risk individuals. If you cannot obtain an influenza vaccination from your primary provider you can access information in your local newspapers for clinics being held in your area, or look for updated information on this website.

Flu shot clinics can be found at FluClinicLocater

3. What should I do to protect myself from the flu?

The single best way for to prevent the flu is for individuals, especially those at high risk for serious complications from the flu, to get a vaccination each fall. To learn more, go to Key Facts About Flu Vaccine.

There are other good health habits that can help prevent the flu. These are:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
  • If possible, stay home from work, school, and avoid doing errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
  • Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

4. If I'm a physician or other healthcare provider, how do I obtain flu shots for my patients?

There are many ways to purchase flu vaccine in the private market. Check Private Vaccine Purchase under Influenza Vaccine information. Maxim Health Services will assist private practices in holding flu shot clinics, at no cost to the provider. Contact Maxim Health Services at 617-558-0395 for more information.

5. Does influenza vaccine contain Thimerosal?

Thimerosal-free influenza vaccine is available from two manufacturers: sanofi pasteur (Fluzone) and Medimmune (Flumist).

6. I am pregnant. Where can I find a preservative free flu shot?

According to Maxim, quantities of preservative free vaccine are available at each of their sites. Let the nurse know that you are pregnant