Nassau County's Department of Health, Department of Senior Citizen Affairs, and the Nassau University Medical Center will offer a limited number of flu vaccinations to Nassau County residents who are 65 years of age and over. In addition, about 300 physicians who responded to a Nassau County Medical Society survey will receive approximately 3,000 doses of vaccine for their high-risk patients. These persons are considered in the high priority group as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.)

Using the 2004 pre-registration lists developed earlier by the various senior citizen sites, over 50% of the seniors, or approximately 10,000 persons, will be randomly selected and called to ask if they are still in need of immunization. If they are, they will be registered for a flu shot at a centrally located site and asked to bring proof of age and residency to the clinic. If the senior is no longer in need of immunization, another name from the pre-registration lists will be contacted.

The senior clinics will be held at Nassau Community College on Saturday and Sunday, November 20th and 21st.

To protect yourself and your family from the flu. Everyone should:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• Stay home when you are sick, if possible. Staying home from work, school and errands when sick will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Cover your cough or sneeze. Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Clean your hands. Washing your hands after coughing and sneezing and 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.
• Maintain a healthy life style, including getting plenty of sleep, engaging in physical activity, managing stress, drinking water, eating nutritious food, and avoiding use of tobacco.

Residents can obtain information about the flu vaccine by calling 571-2500 or by visiting the Health Department's web site at www.NassauCountyNY.gov/health.