Wilshire Network Sites

Flu and Pneumonia Campaign

You Can Help Prevent the Flu and Its Complications
Good health habits to protect you and others from getting sick:

• Wash hands frequently
• Use alcohol-based hand rubs
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissue and discard
• Limit contact with infected people
• Stay home when you are sick
• Get a flu shot if you are over 65 or have health problems
• Check with your physician about getting the pneumococcal vaccination

People who are at high risk of influenza complications and should get a yearly influenza
immunization include: anyone with a chronic or long-term health condition, such as
diabetes, heart disease, and asthma; adults age 50 or over; infants age 6 months to 23
months; women who will be pregnant during the influenza season; and health-care
workers. Household contacts or caregivers of adults or children at high risk should also
receive a yearly influenza immunization.

General Statistics
• During the 2004-2005 influenza season, there were more than 10,855 reported
laboratory-confirmed influenza cases in Missouri.
• During the 2004-2005 influenza season, more than 3,050 Missourians died due to
influenza and pneumonia.
• In 2003, more than 3,201 Missourians were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis
of pneumococcal pneumonia and/or influenza in Missouri.
• The risk of hospitalization increases when additional risk factors exist, including
diabetes and other risk factors like the presence of heart disease, renal disease, and
older age.

Risks for People with Diabetes
• Receiving pneumonia and influenza (flu) immunizations is especially important
for people with diabetes because they are at increased risk for complications from
these illnesses
• People with diabetes are six times more likely to be hospitalized with flu
complications.
• People with diabetes are about three times more likely to die with pneumonia or
influenza-like illness than people without diabetes.
• Persons with diabetes, age 25 to 54, are four times more likely to die from
influenza or pneumonia than people of the same age who do not have diabetes.
• Death rates among people with diabetes increase by 5-15% during influenza
epidemics.
• According to 2001-2004 Missouri Vital Statistics, a total of 296 Missourians with
diabetes died with pneumonia or influenza.
• According to 2002 & 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
data, 38.8% of all Missouri adults with diabetes are not immunized against
influenza, and 49% are not immunized against pneumococcal disease, the most
frequent causes of pneumonia.