As you are well aware, flu and pneumonia are common causes of serious illness and even death, and these diseases are largely preventable. The best way to prevent flu and pneumonia is to get vaccinated.
The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is launching a campaign to get everyone with a developmental disability vaccinated for flu, and everyone 65 years old or older, as well as those 19 to 64 years old who have a chronic health condition, vaccinated for pneumonia. This is an ambitious goal, but vaccinations are easy to get and save lives.
Far Northern Regional Center is asking you to make sure the people you support get vaccinated.
DDS has created materials for this campaign, which are on the DDS SafetyNet website at http://ddssafety.net/health/preventive-health/fighting-flu-and-pneumonia. They include two informational brochures, one about flu and another about pneumonia, and a poster. They also include related videos and articles that DDS created for the SafetyNet, as well as information from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Here is what you can do:
· Review the brochures and other materials to learn about flu and pneumonia shots. Share the video and materials with the people you care for so they can learn about shots too.
· Look up places near you where those you support can get vaccinated. Check out the brochures for more information on scheduling shots.
· Contact the doctor with questions about whether the flu or pneumonia shots are right for the people you support. flu_brochure pneu_brochure be-like-me-flu-free-poster