GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY, STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS VACCINATED FOR SEASONAL FLU

Health Officials Confirm Season Flu Has Arrived in Maryland

GLEN BURNIE, MD – As state health officials confirm that the seasonal flu has arrived in Maryland, Governor Martin O'Malley joined and about 200 state employees at the Motor Vehicle Administration headquarters in Glen Burnie this morning to get vaccinated for seasonal flu. The seasonal flu vaccine that is available now will protect people from the seasonal flu strain that has been detected by Maryland's Public Health Laboratories.

“In big ways and in small ways, this is a patriotic duty, and we especially want to encourage Marylanders who haven't gotten a flu shot before, to get vaccinated for the first time,” said Governor Martin O'Malley. “Each of us, by working in our own lives to take care of our own health and the health of our families, can help prevent and contain potential outbreaks while lowering health care costs and strengthening our communities and our workforce.”

State employees by the thousands have been lining up to get their seasonal flu shots at locations across Maryland. Marylanders are encouraged to speak with their health care providers about getting their seasonal flu shot. They may also check with their local health departments for times and locations of local vaccination clinics or, seek a vaccination at one of hundreds of local retail outlets across the state. Information on how to get a seasonal flu shot is available at www.flu.maryland.gov.

“Vaccination is the best protection against the flu,” said John M. Colmers, Secretary, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH). “When you get vaccinated you not only protect yourself, your family and your co-workers or classmates from the flu, you also protect the health care system from a preventable overload of patients, helping our health care providers care for others who need it.”

The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect people from the H1N1 (Swine) Flu. They are different strains of the flu and require different vaccinations to be protected from both. Symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, and sore throat. Additional symptoms may include chills, headache, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea or shortness of breath. Based on CDC figures, it is estimated that 1,000 Marylanders die every year from seasonal flu or its complications. Complications and death are more common among those with serious underlying health conditions. Good personal hygiene can reduce the risk of illness: · Wash your hands often· Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing · If you have flu symptoms, stay home

Additional Information Maryland DHMH H1N1 Influenza information: www.flu.maryland.gov Updated CDC Guidance for Schools, Colleges and Universities, Employers and more: http://www.flu.gov/ The Weekly CDC Novel H1N1 Flu Situation Update: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm CDC Interim Patient Treatment and Risk Guidance: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/identifyingpatients.htm