Georgia Coastal Health District

The holidays are special times for gatherings with family and friends, decorations and indulging in delicious meals. Don’t let the flu virus keep you stuck in bed. National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is Dec. 7-13, and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) encourages all Georgians 6 months of age and older to get a yearly flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established NIVW week in 2005 to take a proactive approach to educating the community and health care sector about influenza disease. Take this time and schedule an appointment with your health care provider or your local public health department to get your flu vaccine.

“We want Georgians to understand how simple and convenient it is to receive a flu vaccine,” said Steven Mitchell, immunization director for the Georgia Department of Public Health. “Doctors’ offices, health departments, clinics, pharmacies and even some schools and employers offer the vaccine. It’s a short time to commit to staying healthy through the holidays.”
Influenza can be a serious disease that leads to hospitalization and sometimes death. Regardless of race, age, gender or ethnicity, everyone can get sick from the flu. Those especially at risk are adults 65 years of age and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, people with certain chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or other long-term medical conditions.
The best protection against the flu is a flu vaccine. With “flu season” beginning as early as August and sometimes lasting until May, it is never too late to vaccinate. The vaccination is available in both the shot and nasal spray form. Antiviral medications such as Tamiflu® or Relenza® are an important second line of defense against the flu. Treatment with antiviral drugs is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications or people who are very sick with flu. Antiviral drugs work best when started within two days of coming down with the flu, so it is important to call your doctor as soon as the first symptoms appear.
National Influenza Vaccination Week emphasizes the importance of receiving an annual flu vaccination. Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu. So this winter, Georgia Department of Public Health encourages all Georgians take those few minutes to call your doctor’s office, pharmacy or health department and make a date to vaccinate.
For more information on immunization, visit:
http://dph.georgia.gov/seasonal-flu-influenza

When it comes to their kids, parents are always planning. Healthy dinners. Safe activities. One plan that’s easy to make could have a tremendous benefit, even saving a life. That’s planning to have pre-teens vaccinated against HPV, the leading cause of cervical and anal cancers.
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“There are about 12,000 new cervical cancer cases each year in the United States,” said Dr. Melinda Wharton, deputy director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Cervical cancer causes about 4,000 deaths in U.S. women each year. But vaccinating boys and girls against HPV greatly reduces the chances that today’s girls will ever have to face this devastating disease.”
CDC recommends HPV vaccination for 11- and 12-year-old girls and boys, as well as for young women ages 13 through 26 and young men ages 13 through 21 who have not yet been vaccinated.
Two HPV vaccines–Cervarix and Gardasil–are available for girls to protect against the HPV types that cause most cervical and anal cancers. Gardasil also protects against the HPV types that cause most genital warts. Gardasil is the only vaccine approved for boys.
Both brands of HPV vaccine are given in three doses (shots) over six months, and protection requires all three doses. “Completing the three-dose HPV vaccine series is very important to ensure protection against HPV-related disease,” Dr. Wharton said.
While vaccinating against a sexually transmitted virus at age 11 or 12 might seem unnecessary, the preteen years are the best time to vaccinate. “The HPV vaccine only provides protection if it is given before exposure to HPV,” said Dr. Wharton. “Someone can be infected with HPV the very first time they have sexual contact with another person.” To get the most benefit from HPV vaccination, all three doses must be received before any kind of sexual activity with another person begins.
Atlanta mom Amber Zirkle recognizes the importance of vaccinating her children now for protection they’ll need in the future. Her 11-year-old daughter will get an HPV vaccine this year at her regular check-up. As for getting HPV vaccine for her 16-year-old son, Amber said, “I didn’t know it was available for boys. I’ll talk with the pediatrician about it.” She added, “Genital warts aren’t something I want my son to deal with.”
Other vaccines recommended specifically for pre-teens include meningococcal conjugate, which protects against bacterial meningitis, and Tdap, which boosts immunity against pertussis (whooping cough). Everyone age six months and older should get an annual flu vaccine.
To learn more, click HERE, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/teens/ or call 800-CDC-INFO.

Fall is in the air and soon, the flu virus will be, too. Flu seasons are unpredictable but can begin as early as October and go as late as May. And while it takes two weeks after getting vaccinated for the flu vaccine to take effect, the vaccine offers protection throughout flu season. Health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties have flu vaccine available and public health officials are encouraging residents not to wait until flu season is in full swing to get vaccinated.

Cost for both the injectable (shot) and nasal spray form is $28. A high dose flu vaccine is also being offered for people ages 65 and older, and it is designed to provide the best protection for that age group. The high dose vaccine will be $45 per dose. Cost of the flu vaccine is covered under both Medicare and Medicaid.
Getting vaccinated against the flu is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. Neither the flu shot nor the nasal spray can cause the flu. The shot is approved for use in healthy people 6 months of age and older, people with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women. The nasal spray is approved for use in healthy people 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
The flu virus is easily spread through coughs and sneezes and by touching something with the virus on it and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. That’s why good health habits are also important including staying home when you’re sick; avoiding close contact with people who are sick; coughing or sneezing into your elbow and not your hand; washing your hands often with soap and water; and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
General Information on Flu
Flu viruses are through to spread mainly from person to person through droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. Flu viruses may also spread when people touch something with flu virus on it and then tough their mouth, nose, or eyes. Many other viruses spread these ways, too.
People infected with flu may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. That means you may be able to spread the flu to someone else before you know you are sick as well as while you are sick. Young children, those who are severely ill, and those who have severely weakened immune systems may be able to infect others for longer than 5-7 days.

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Everyday Preventive Actions to Avoid the Flu
– Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
– If you or your child gets sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you (or your child) stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
– While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
– Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
– Try to cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow.
– Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
– Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
Vaccine Information
Flu Shot Vaccine Info. 2014-2015 [PDF]
Flu Nasal Spray Vaccine Info. 2014-2015 [PDF]
Flu Shot Vaccine Info. 2014-2015 Spanish [PDF]
Flu Nasal Spray Vaccine Info. 2014-2015 Spanish [PDF]
For more information, please call your health department

Making sure that women have access to family planning care has always been a central focus of public health. While that is still the case, Family Planning Programs in health departments across the state of Georgia are undergoing some changes and as a result, there will be some new requirements for patients seeking those services, such as birth control. Effective September 29, 2014, patients seeking family planning services in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties should be prepared to present a photo ID and proof of income* and will be expected pay low cost fees for services.
*(Proof of income will not be required for clients 19 and under).

It is our goal to provide family planning services at the lowest cost possible. In order to accomplish this, patients over the age of 19 must provide verification of income so that we can determine fair and affordable fees for services provided. Without verification of income, patients will be asked to pay the full amount for services they receive.
Accepted proof of income includes:
• W-2 form
• Current tax return
• Current paychecks and/or pay check stubs for 1 month
• Unemployment / Department of Labor compensation notice or check stub
• Notarized statement of income from employer on letterhead
• WIC or SNAP approval letter including family size and income
Accepted Photo ID includes:
• State issued driver’s license
• Government issued ID
• Student ID
There will be payment options for family planning services and accepted forms of payment include:
• Cash
• Debit/credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover)
• Medicaid
• Peachcare for Kids
• Amerigroup, Peachstate, Wellcare
To qualify for a fee discount, patients must provide proof of income. Patients who do not provide proof of income will be asked to pay the full amount for services received at the time of visit.*
*(Patients who do not proof of income may be offered a 20% discount if paying with cash or debit card at the time of visit).
We value all of our patients and strive to provide the highest quality family planning services in an atmosphere of caring and respect. The Coastal Health District will continue to offer a broad spectrum of family planning services including physical exams, counseling and education, and provision of effective contraceptive methods.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of all public health Family Planning Program patients. Any questions about changes to the Family Planning Program can be directed to your county health department.

National and international disasters, ranging from Ebola to wildfires to major earthquakes, have dominated the headlines in recent weeks. Plus, we are entering the most active month of hurricane season. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has proclaimed September as National Preparedness Month in Georgia – a great time to make sure you and your loved ones are disaster-ready. This year’s theme is “Be Disaster Aware; Take Action to Prepare.”

“Knowing the appropriate way to prepare for and respond to disaster can help you survive the emergency and recover faster, said Lisa Janak Newman, public information officer with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA). “It can also help reduce the fear and anxiety that accompany disasters.”

It’s easy to prepare for a disaster, whether it’s a hurricane or snow and ice. Stay informed by having a way to receive weather alerts, build a Ready kit of emergency supplies, and make a family communications plan using the resources on Ready Georgia.

“Having an extra supply of batteries, water, ready-to-eat food and cash in small denominations are some of the most essential items to start with,” said Bruce Jeffries, deputy director of Health Protection at the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH). “Make considerations for the specific, individual needs of you and your family before the onset of a disaster.”

Article by Georgia Department of Public Health Risk Communicator, Eric Jens.

That’s right. The need for immunizations doesn’t end with childhood. Each year, thousands of adults in the U. S. suffer serious health problems, are hospitalized, or even die from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines, including influenza, whooping cough, certain bacterial infections, hepatitis A and B, shingles, and even some cancers such as cervical cancer and liver cancer. Talk to your doctor today to find out which vaccines are recommended for you.

Most people don’t realize that adults need immunizations, too. While many recognize that a flu vaccine is recommended every year, few adults are aware of the need for other vaccines to help protect their health.
Protection from some childhood immunizations wears off over time, leaving you vulnerable to disease. For example, there has been a rise in cases of whooping cough in the last few years, with over 48,000 cases being reported in 2012. We have learned that the protection from DTaP whooping cough vaccine given to children doesn’t last into adulthood, so all adults are now recommended to get one dose of Tdap whooping cough vaccine if they did not receive it as an adolescent.
Adults may be recommended for certain vaccines due to their age, job, hobbies, travel, or health condition. Other vaccines may be recommended if they didn’t get certain vaccines as children.
Check your immunization records to be sure you got the, measles-mumps-rubella, varicella “chickenpox” and HPV vaccines.
Some adults, including older adults and those who have chronic health conditions, may be at higher risk for serious complications from some vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, because older age increases the chance of getting shingles, CDC recommends that adults get the shingles vaccine once they turn 60 years old.
People with diabetes, heart disease, and COPD or asthma, even if well managed, are more likely than those without these conditions to have complications from the flu. To prevent possible complications like pneumonia, people with these chronic conditions should get a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in addition to a yearly flu vaccine.
But those aren’t the only reasons to stay up-to-date on vaccinations.
Adult immunization is necessary because it not only protects the person receiving the vaccine, but also helps prevent the spread of certain diseases to loved ones and those in the community who are most vulnerable to disease (like those with weakened immune systems and infants).
They don’t have a choice, but you do.
To learn about adult vaccination and the Affordable Care Act, visit: www.health care.gov/what-are-my-preventive-care-benefits/.
Getting vaccinated is an important step we can take to protect ourselves and loved ones from vaccine-preventable diseases. Yet too many adults–perhaps even you–are not up to date. Talk with your doctor to find out which vaccines are right for you.
For more information on vaccines or to take an adult vaccine quiz to find out which vaccines you might need, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/index.html.

Rabies is a potentially fatal disease that is usually transmitted by the bite of an animal that is infected. So how can you protect yourself, your family, and your pets against rabies?

A lot of animals that can be found in Georgia such as raccoons, foxes, and bats, are carriers of rabies. That’s why it is so important to follow these tips:
• Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
• Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines by four months of age, followed by a booster shot one year later, and another one every one to three years as prescribed by your veterinarian.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or by leaving pet food out at night.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health.* Call animal control or a properly licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.
• Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn.
If an animal ever bites you, seek medical care immediately and contact your local animal control agency and county Environmental Health Division.
Want to know more about rabies? Check out the CDC website.
*By Georgia Law, most native species of wildlife cannot be held without permits or licenses. Find out more at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division website.

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children. As summer heats up, it becomes more and more important to make sure that no child is ever left in a car – even for a minute.

Follow these tips from Safe Kids Worldwide to reduce the number of deaths from heatstroke.
Remember to ACT:
A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.
C: Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.
T: Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.
The state of Georgia launched a “Look Again” campaign earlier this summer to bring awareness to vehicular heat stroke. Check it out HERE.
More Safety Tips
• Never leave a child alone in a car.
• Don’t let your kids play in an unattended vehicle. Teach them that a vehicle is not a play area.
• Never leave infants or children in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are partially open.
• Keep a large teddy bear or other stuffed animal in the car seat when it’s empty. Move the teddy bear to the front seat when you place the child in the seat as a visual reminder.
• If you are dropping your children off at childcare, but normally your spouse or partner drops them off, have your spouse or partner call you to make sure they were not left in the car.
• Become vigilant about looking in the vehicle before locking the door. Always look front and back before walking away — always!

Let’s face it – nobody likes getting shots. But a shot lasts a second; diseases last much longer. Vaccines are the best defense against serious, preventable, and sometimes deadly contagious diseases. They help families and individuals avoid expensive therapies and hospitalizations to treat infectious diseases like influenza and meningitis. Immunizations also decrease absences from school and after-school activities, and decrease spreading illness into the home and throughout the school and the community.

The Georgia Department of Public Health’s inaugural Pre-Teen Vaccine Awareness Week coincides with new requirements in Georgia schools starting with the 2014-2015 academic year. Pre-Teen Vaccine Awareness Week promotes immunization specifically for 11- and 12-year old girls and boys.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health Rule (511-2-2), all students born on or after January 1, 2002 entering or transferring into seventh grade and any “new entrant” into 8th-12th grades in Georgia need proof of an adolescent pertussis (whooping cough) booster vaccination (called “Tdap”) AND an adolescent meningococcal vaccination (MCV4). This law affects all public and private schools including, but not limited to charter schools, community schools, juvenile court schools and other alternative school settings (excluding homeschool).
“Preteens are becoming increasingly social. They go to overnight camps, attend parties and play team sports – they’re beginning to interact with a larger social circle. While these are all fun parts of being a teenager, they could also increase their risk for contracting potentially life-threatening diseases,” said Steven Mitchell, director for the Georgia Department of Public Health Immunization Office. “Couple this with the new school immunization requirements and it’s the ideal time to make sure your preteen is up-to-date on their vaccinations and protected for their future.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends the following vaccines for preteens and teens:
• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)
• Influenza (flu)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – three doses
• Meningococcal Disease (MCV4)
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices currently recommends that 11 and 12-year-olds receive Tdap, meningococcal vaccine, three doses of HPV vaccine, and an annual flu vaccine. Some preteens may also need to catch up on other immunizations, including chickenpox (many don’t have their second dose), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and hepatitis B. Speak to your physician today about whether or not your pre-teen is up-to-date and, if not, make a date to vaccinate.
Want to know more? Click HERE
For more information on the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay, visit http://dph.georgia.gov/vaccines-children or call (800)-848-3868.

Every year about 20 million people get sick from norovirus which is the leading cause of disease outbreaks from contaminated food in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Norovirus is very contagious and can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Food can get contaminated with norovirus when infected people who have stool or vomit on their hands touch the food; it is placed on counters or surfaces that have infectious stool or vomit on them; or tiny drops of vomit from an infected person spray through the air and land on the food.
What is norovirus and how can it be prevented?
Norovirus Symptoms
NorovirusTransmission

Norovirus Prevention

Norovirus Treatment
How can those in the food service industry help prevent norovirus?
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