Sure, you're worried about protecting yourself from both seasonal flu and H1N1. As your health plan, we hear and share your concerns and want to help you understand what you can do to keep you and your family healthy.
Seasonal flu affects millions of people every year. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die as a result of the seasonal flu every year. Seasonal flu typically strikes between October and April. The CDC recommends that all persons older than six months receive the seasonal flu shot.
H1N1 flu was first seen in the United States in April 2009 and is called "novel" H1N1 because the virus had never been identified before and is new. Since H1N1 flu is a new type of flu, there is still a lot that is unknown about it. We are closely monitoring the recommendations of government organizations regarding H1N1 flu.
Signs and symptoms of H1N1 flu and seasonal flu are very similar and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and tiredness. Children with seasonal flu and some people with H1N1 flu may also have diarrhea and vomiting. Both of these flu viruses can cause underlying chronic (long-term) health problems to worsen.
Both seasonal and H1N1 flu are spread from person to person through the coughing or sneezing of sick people. People can also become sick by touching something with a flu virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
If you feel that you or a family member are developing signs of the flu, call your doctor to find out what to do.
There are things you can do to help stop the spread of germs that cause illnesses like flu. The steps recommended by the CDC are below:
Children under age nine who have not been vaccinated for seasonal flu in the past will require two shots. The H1N1 vaccine will require one shot for persons 10 years of age and older, and two shots for children from 6 months to 9 years of age.
Seasonal Flu: In its Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine, the CDC explains who should get a seasonal vaccine. People are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available since the usual seasonal flu viruses are still expected to cause sickness this fall and winter.
H1N1 Flu: The CDC has issued Novel H1N1 Vaccination Recommendations that advise who should get the vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine is not meant to replace the seasonal vaccine. It will be given in addition to the seasonal flu vaccine.
Medication Coverage:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of Tamiflu® or Relenza® for the treatment of H1N1 flu. We cover both of these prescription drugs for members with a pharmacy benefit.
Vaccine Coverage:
The federal government will pay for the H1N1 flu vaccine. EmblemHealth and its companies GHI and HIP will cover seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccine administration given by in-network or out-of-network providers for plan members with vaccine benefit coverage. All children aged 19 years and under are covered regardless of vaccine benefit coverage. This means that for plan members with vaccine benefit coverage and all children 19 years of age and under there is no copayment, deductible, or co-insurance, when the only reason for the visit is to get the flu shot(s). If plan members see their doctor for other reasons and also get a flu shot, any applicable co-pay, deductible and coinsurance would apply.
Contact your doctor to find out which vaccines are right for you and where to get them.
NYC Residents—H1N1 Vaccination and Treatment Locations
Visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Web site to find a health center in your area where you can get vaccinations or treatment for H1N1 flu.
UPDATE! NYC Health Department is Offering H1N1 Vaccine in Schools The New York City Department of Health is working with public and nonpublic elementary schools to offer the H1N1 vaccine (at no cost to parents) starting in late October or early November. Elementary schools will schedule vaccines during regular school days. For middle and high school students, free weekend vaccination clinics will be held in each borough during November and December. Children will be able to get the vaccine at school with their parent's permission. You can pick up a consent form from your child's school or download one online.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that if you get sick with flu-like symptoms, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people, except to get medical care.
Most people with 2009 H1N1 have been only mildly sick and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs. The same is true for seasonal flu. If you get sick with flu, call your doctor for advice. If your doctor decides that you do need drug treatment, medicine will be most helpful when started within the first two days that symptoms begin to show.
Here are some tips from CDC on what to do if you're sick:
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The New York State Department of Health has set up a hotline at 1-800-808-1987 to handle questions about H1N1 flu. New York City residents may also call 311 for information.
You can also view the following Web sites and resources to learn more:
Seasonal (regular) Flu
This is the flu that begins in the fall and usually ends in the spring every season. It is important to know that the seasonal flu strains do vary every year. The flu vaccine is made ahead of time based on strains expected to be present in the upcoming season. The vaccine is usually on target and effective. Since strains vary from year to year, people must get a flu shot annually to be protected against the seasonal flu.
H1N1 Flu (also called Swine Flu or Novel Flu)
This strain of flu made its appearance in the spring of 2009. The virus spread very quickly and was declared a pandemic. While the number of cases declined over the summer, it is expected that the number of cases will increase in the fall along with the seasonal flu.
Below is a Q&A document regarding prominent issues related to the 2009-2010 flu season.
Q. Why do I need to take the flu so seriously?
A. Seasonal Flu: Each year in the United States on average, 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications, and; about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes every year.
H1N1 Flu: As this virus is relatively new it may be too soon to predict how many people will get sick or die from this flu. We do know that the H1N1 flu can cause people to be hospitalized and that people have died from it.
Q: Will EmblemHealth cover the cost of the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccination? What about co-pays, deductibles or coinsurance?
A: EmblemHealth and its companies GHI and HIP will cover seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccine administration given by in-network or out-of-network providers for plan members with vaccine benefit coverage. All children aged 19 years and under are covered regardless of vaccine benefit coverage. This means that for plan members with vaccine benefit coverage and all children 19 years of age and under there is no copayment, deductible, or coinsurance, when the only reason for the visit is to get the flu shot(s). If members see their doctor for other reasons and also get a flu shot, any applicable co-pay, deductible and coinsurance would apply.
Q: When does the flu season start and end?
A: Most years, the seasonal flu season starts in the fall and ends in the spring.
H1N1 virus began last spring and subsided during the summer but is expected to be present again during the fall flu season.
Q: Is the H1N1 flu the same as the seasonal (regular) flu?
A: Although they produce similar symptoms, they are different strains of Influenza A.
Q: What are the symptoms?
A: Seasonal and H1N1 flu have similar symptoms. For most people this may include a runny nose, sore throat, fever (usually high), headache, muscle aches, chills, fatigue and dry cough. Digestive symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may also occur but are more common in children than adults. If you experience these symptoms call your doctor to determine how you should handle the illness.
Q: How do I protect myself and my family?
A: The single best thing you can do to protect yourself and your family is to make sure everyone gets a seasonal flu shot and those in recommended target groups get the H1N1 flu shot. Remember, you need a separate shot for each type of flu. Additional preventive measures include frequent hand washing, using hand sanitizers, covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough, and avoiding people who are sick. Eating right and getting proper rest will also help.
Q: Can't I just take vitamins or herbs to avoid getting the flu?
A: While vitamins and herbal supplements may work to keep our bodies healthier, the single best thing you can do to avoid getting the flu is to get a flu shot.
Q: Can you tell me about the flu shot?
A:
For Seasonal Flu: You will need this year's flu shot to fight this year's seasonal flu. All persons 6 months and older should get a flu shot after talking with their doctor. For children younger than 9 being immunized for the first time, two shots will be required. All others will require one shot.
For H1N1 Flu: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following target groups be immunized first: pregnant women, household contacts of those under 6 months of age, health care and emergency personnel, persons aged 6 months through 24 years and persons aged 25 through 64 years who have underlying (chronic) medical conditions. The over 65 age group is not a target group as there appears to be immunity from exposure to similar viruses 40 to 60 years ago. If vaccine supplies are adequate, the remainder of the populations should seek H1N1 vaccination in consultation with their doctor.
Always talk with your doctor to see if the flu shot is right for you.
Q: When should I go for my flu shot?
A: You should get vaccinated as soon as vaccine is available. Contact your doctor today to find out which flu shots are right for you and your family. Although we all get busy, we need to make time to take care of ourselves and put getting vaccinated at the top of our "to-do" list.
Q: Is there enough vaccine for everyone?
A: Federal and State officials expect that there will be seasonal flu vaccine available to all people who want to get vaccinated. It is expected that H1N1 vaccine will be given first to groups of people at highest risk. It is expected that enough vaccine will be available as we progress through the fall and spring flu season.
Q: Will the seasonal flu shot protect me from H1N1 virus or vice versa?
A: No, you need to get vaccinated for each flu type.
Q: Where can I go to get a flu shot?
A:
For Seasonal Flu: Please contact your doctor and ask if the flu shot is right for you. Your doctor can usually give you the seasonal flu shot. It is likely that there may be occasional temporary vaccine shortages this flu season. We do expect that there will be enough seasonal flu vaccine for those that want it later in the flu season.
For H1N1 Flu: Please contact your doctor and ask if the H1N1 shot is right for you and if he or she can give you the vaccinations you need. You may also call your local health department for H1N1 flu vaccination locations.
The New York City Department of Health is working with public and nonpublic elementary schools to offer the H1N1 vaccine (at no cost to parents) starting in late October or early November. Elementary schools will schedule vaccines during regular school days. For middle and high school students, free weekend vaccination clinics will be held in each borough during November and December. Children will be able to get the vaccine at school with their parent's permission. You can pick up a consent form from your child's school or download one online.
Other Resources: You may also want to check with your local health department, church or religious groups and other community resources. New York City residents may call 311 or visit the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) Web site for information about flu vaccination clinics. The New York State Department of Health has set up a hotline at 1-800-808-1987 to handle questions about H1N1 flu.
Q: What about Open Access Week and Maxim Health Services – I had called earlier and was told that I could use these services to get my flu shot.
A: As in previous years, EmblemHealth partnered with various services and doctor group practices to help our plan members get their flu shots. Due to vaccine shortages, these services are no longer available.
Q: What caused this shortage?
A: The main reason for this shortage was a request by the federal government to the vaccine maker to concentrate on making H1N1 vaccine. This has slowed production of seasonal flu vaccine.
Q: I get my medical care through Queens-Long Island Medical Group, Preferred Health Partners, Staten Island Physician Practice, Manhattan's Physician Group or Montefiore (CMO). Where should I get my flu shot?
A: You can go to your medical group practice during routine and urgent care hours to receive your flu shot. Do call ahead first to make sure it is available.
Q: Are there side effects from the flu vaccine?
A: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are:
If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last one to two days. Almost all people who receive flu vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. If you have a serious reaction, contact your doctor.
Q: What if I am afraid of needles?
A. Many people are afraid of needles. While there is some pain associated with the flu shot, it is usually less painful then getting the flu! Also, you can check with your doctor for a needle-free vaccine option, such as a nasal flu vaccine spray.
Q: How can I find out more about the flu?
A. The New York State Department of Health has set up a hotline at 1-800-808-1987 to handle questions about H1N1 flu. New York City residents may also call 311 for information.
You can also visit the following Web sites to learn more: