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Healthcare Provider Information |
Address:
Garrett Co. Health Dept.
1025 Memorial Drive
Oakland, MD 21550
Main Phone:
301-334-7777
or 301-895-3111
FAX: 301-334-7701
See department pages for individual phone numbers
E-Mail Webmaster
Released: January 24, 2005
ANNAPOLIS - Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced that all
influenza vaccination restrictions in Maryland have been lifted. Current
surveys show vaccine supplies in Maryland are adequate to now offer
preventive doses to those who had deferred to Maryland's high-risk
individuals.
"I am truly proud of our residents for working together to ensure the
limited vaccine supplies would be available to those citizens at highest
risk," said Governor Ehrlich. "Now that our most critical needs have been
met, anyone who wishes to receive a flu shot is eligible to do so."
Cases of influenza or flu-like illnesses have reached the 'widespread'
designation, according to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
(DHMH). This indicates the state is seeing an increase in influenza-like
illnesses.
"Even with the widespread activity, it is not too late to get a
vaccination," said DHMH Secretary S. Anthony McCann. "I strongly
encourage anyone to contact their health care provider or local health
department to arrange for a flu shot or dose of FluMist."
"The system worked the way it was supposed to," said Health Officer Rodney Glotfelty, "we prioritized people and vaccinated high risk first, then lower the eligibility to 50 years old, and now we are happy to offer vaccine to everyone."
Persons interested in receiving a flu vaccine should call the Garrett County Health Department at 301-334-7770 or 301-895-3111 to schedule an appointment. Appointments will be available at both the Oakland and Grantsville locations. The cost of the vaccine will be $18.00. Persons with Medicare cards should bring them to allow the Health Department to bill Medicare for the vaccine.
The shortage of vaccine prompted Maryland officials in October to place
restrictions on those eligible to receive the vaccine. Before today's
lifting of all restrictions, the eligible list was expanded earlier this
month to accommodate a larger percent of the population.
Although influenza is not a reportable disease in Maryland, DHMH is able
to track the illness through voluntary reporting from health care
providers and from reports of illness from nursing homes in the state.
Typical flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or
stuffy nose headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. Children may
experience gastrointestinal problems including nausea, vomiting and
diarrhea.
Tips To Help Stay Healthy
With or without the vaccination, State health officials say there are
steps people can take to lessen their chances of contracting the illness.
These include:
* 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 errands when you are sick.
* Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
* Wash your hands often - this will help protect you from germs.
* Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is
contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
Other tips are available by clicking on 'flu information' in
the 'hot issues' section of the DHMH Web site at www.dhmh.state.md.us.
Additional information is available on the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention Web site at http://www.cdc.gov.