La División de Servicios de Manutención de Menores de Delaware Regresa Licencias a Padres Cumpliendo con Manutención Date Posted: October 1, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Releases Annual Fire Special Report Date Posted: September 30, 2022
DPH Announces Start Of Flu Season: Encourages Vaccination In Face Of Potentially Active Flu Season Date Posted: September 29, 2022
Emergency Sirens Tested on Tuesday, October 4 Date Posted: September 29, 2022
Investor Protection Unit Grills “Pig Butchering” Scammers Date Posted: September 28, 2022
Great Oaks Charter School Placed on Formal Review Date Posted: September 28, 2022
Zwaanendael Museum Offers ‘Mysteries Of History’ Tours Date Posted: September 28, 2022
Delaware Division of the Arts Award Winners Exhibit Opening at Cab Calloway School of the Arts Date Posted: September 28, 2022
Nominations Open for Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards Date Posted: September 28, 2022
Postponed: Schools to Recruit Educators at Saturday’s DSU Football Game Date Posted: September 27, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia el 29 de Septiembre Date Posted: September 27, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits on Sept 29 Date Posted: September 27, 2022
Delaware Hunting Seasons to Open in October Include Antlerless Deer, Muzzleloader Deer, Duck and Snow Goose Date Posted: September 27, 2022
Buena Vista Fall Event On Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022 Date Posted: September 27, 2022
Delaware Division of Child Support Services Returns Licenses to Parents Complying with Child Support Date Posted: September 26, 2022
Delaware EARNS Program Board Members Named Date Posted: September 26, 2022
John Dickinson Plantation’s 2022 ‘18th Century Trades Day’ Date Posted: September 26, 2022
Delaware Natural Resources Police Cite Sussex Man for Illegal Dumping Date Posted: September 23, 2022
Delaware Division of the Arts Announces 2022-2023 POETRY OUT LOUD Poetry Recitation Contest Date Posted: September 23, 2022
Governor Carney, Keep Delaware Beautiful, Delaware Department of Transportation Launch Litter Free School Zone Program Date Posted: September 23, 2022
2023 Delaware Teacher of the Year to be Named Next Month Date Posted: September 22, 2022
DNREC to Seek Community Water Project Proposals Date Posted: September 22, 2022
Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site public workshops Date Posted: September 22, 2022
Eligibility For Monkeypox Vaccine Expands Again In Delaware Date Posted: September 22, 2022
Las Oficinas De La División De Servicios De Manutención Infantil (DCSS Por Sus Siglas En Ingles) Cerrarán Sept 23 Date Posted: September 21, 2022
Delmarva Natural Gas Prices Set to Rise Ahead of Winter Heating Season Date Posted: September 21, 2022
2,075 Seedlings Planted for the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Tree Planting Date Posted: September 21, 2022
Blackbird State Forest’s Meadows Tract Renamed in Honor of Senator Bruce C. Ennis Date Posted: September 20, 2022
‘The War of 1812: Over Two Centuries Later’ Date Posted: September 20, 2022
DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Achieves National Accreditation after Rigorous Review Date Posted: September 20, 2022
DPH Announces #MyReasonWhyDE Youth Campaign Date Posted: September 20, 2022
DHSS to Expand Community Well-Being Initiative to Kent County Date Posted: September 19, 2022
Historical Affairs programs in October 2022 Date Posted: September 19, 2022
Division of Child Support Services Offices Will Be Closed Sept. 23 Date Posted: September 19, 2022
2023 Health, Dental, Small Group Insurance Rates Announced Date Posted: September 19, 2022
COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Information On Bivalent Boosters Date Posted: September 16, 2022
DNREC Announces Grants to Support Communities With Pollution Restoration Projects Date Posted: September 16, 2022
Brandywine Zoo Awarded Re-Accreditation by Association of Zoos and Aquariums Date Posted: September 15, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: September 15, 2022
September is Preparedness Month in Delaware Date Posted: September 15, 2022
DOJ Secures 646 Charges Against Husband, Wife for Serial Child Abuse and Torture Date Posted: September 14, 2022
DPH Shares Activities As Part Of Falls Prevention Awareness Week Date Posted: September 14, 2022
Delaware Waterfowl and Trout Stamp Art Winners Chosen Date Posted: September 14, 2022
Stephen Taylor to Lead Delaware Captive Bureau Date Posted: September 13, 2022
Delaware Hunters Reminded Harvest of Delmarva Fox Squirrels is Prohibited Date Posted: September 13, 2022
Delaware Office Of Highway Safety Anticipates Increase in Motorcycle Traffic for Delmarva Bike Week Date Posted: September 12, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Releases 19 More School District Audits Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Nominations Open for 2022 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award Date Posted: September 12, 2022
DPH Announces Expanded Monkeypox Vaccination Access and Vaccination During AIDS Walk Delaware Events On September 17 Date Posted: September 12, 2022
MONEY MATCH Program reunites over $460,000 to Delaware Taxpayers Date Posted: September 12, 2022
State Awards More Than $3.8 Million to Support High-Quality Professional Learning Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: The Adams Home Farm of Northwest Fork Hundred Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: September 10, 2022
Arrest on Charge of DUI Made After Newark Man Drives Vehicle Into Surf on Navy Beach at Cape Henlopen Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Two Wilmington Gang Members Sentenced for Murders, Gun Charges Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Free Fly-Fishing Lessons Offered for Anglers Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Wilmington Man Sentenced in Revenge Murder Case Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Delaware Climate Leadership Academy to Launch Second Cohort Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Volunteers Needed To Plant Trees on September 17 at Blackbird State Forest, Enhancing the Chesapeake Bay Date Posted: September 7, 2022
DNREC Completes Murderkill Channel Dredging, Takes Momentum Into Fall for More Navigability Projects Date Posted: September 7, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Announces the First Ever Fraud Hotline Annual Report Date Posted: September 6, 2022
AG Jennings Announces $438.5 Million Multistate Agreement with JUUL Labs Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Sales Agreement for New Wilmington Library Location Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Heritage Commission’s Book of the Week: The Perennial Apprentice Date Posted: September 6, 2022
October Declared Delaware Cybersecurity Awareness Month Date Posted: September 2, 2022
Wilmington Man Arrested After Lewdness and Indecent Exposure Incidents at First State National Historical Park Date Posted: September 2, 2022
DPH Announces Updates To Monkeypox Cases, Vaccine Access And Launch Of Public Health Alert Web Portal Date Posted: September 1, 2022
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Event to be Held Oct. 7 to 9 at Camp Barnes Date Posted: September 1, 2022
DNREC to Reopen The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park Sept. 1 Date Posted: September 1, 2022
FDA Authorizes Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters; CDC Sign-Off Expected By Weekend Date Posted: August 31, 2022
DPH Announces First Human Case Of West Nile Virus Of The Year In Sussex County Man Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission to Hold Virtual Public Hearing on Horseshoe Crab Draft Addendum VIII Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Division Of Public Health Releases Information On 2020 Delaware Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Delaware Division Of Public Health Re-Accredited As Nationally Accredited Public Health Agency Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Flag Lowering for International Overdose Awareness Day Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Central Delaware Career Expo Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Appointments to State Board of Education Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Numerous Delaware Hunting Seasons to Open in September, Including Archery Deer, Resident Canada Goose, Teal Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Division of Small Business to Reopen EDGE Grants Competition for Applications Date Posted: August 30, 2022
DMV Announces New Medical Tint Waiver Application Process Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware Division of Public Health Launches New Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware’s Annual Chautauqua Tent Show, Sept. 8–11, 2022 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Gov. Charles L. Terry – Oral History Series Date Posted: August 29, 2022
DEHAP Rental Assistance Will Temporarily Pause On September 9 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Air Permitting Training Session Scheduled for Sept. 20 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Plans Underway for High-Capacity Magazine Buyback for Delaware Residents Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Delaware Transit Corporation Receives 5th Federal Grant for Energy Efficient Buses Date Posted: August 26, 2022
DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to Close Sept. 1 for Season Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Back to School…It’s Go Time Date Posted: August 26, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness: “Delaware Criminal Justice Council Policy Updates Improve Justice for All” Date Posted: August 25, 2022
DNREC Encourages Visitors to Utilize Guarded Beaches at Delaware State Parks for Swimming Date Posted: August 25, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia el 25 de Agosto Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits on August 25 Date Posted: August 24, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Inner Reflections” by Kiara Florez Date Posted: August 24, 2022
TranspARTation Grant Opportunity for Schools Returns for 2022-2023 School Year Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Felony Arrests Made Following Killens Pond State Park Water Park Burglary Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DPH Announces Six New Cases Of Monkeypox; Vaccine Expansion Underway Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Delaware Seeks Federal Grant to Support Cleaner School Buses Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: August 23, 2022
La División de Servicios de Manutención de Menores de Delaware Regresa Licencias a Padres Cumpliendo con Manutención Date Posted: October 1, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Releases Annual Fire Special Report Date Posted: September 30, 2022
DPH Announces Start Of Flu Season: Encourages Vaccination In Face Of Potentially Active Flu Season Date Posted: September 29, 2022
Emergency Sirens Tested on Tuesday, October 4 Date Posted: September 29, 2022
Investor Protection Unit Grills “Pig Butchering” Scammers Date Posted: September 28, 2022
Great Oaks Charter School Placed on Formal Review Date Posted: September 28, 2022
Zwaanendael Museum Offers ‘Mysteries Of History’ Tours Date Posted: September 28, 2022
Delaware Division of the Arts Award Winners Exhibit Opening at Cab Calloway School of the Arts Date Posted: September 28, 2022
Nominations Open for Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards Date Posted: September 28, 2022
Postponed: Schools to Recruit Educators at Saturday’s DSU Football Game Date Posted: September 27, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia el 29 de Septiembre Date Posted: September 27, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits on Sept 29 Date Posted: September 27, 2022
Delaware Hunting Seasons to Open in October Include Antlerless Deer, Muzzleloader Deer, Duck and Snow Goose Date Posted: September 27, 2022
Buena Vista Fall Event On Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022 Date Posted: September 27, 2022
Delaware Division of Child Support Services Returns Licenses to Parents Complying with Child Support Date Posted: September 26, 2022
Delaware EARNS Program Board Members Named Date Posted: September 26, 2022
John Dickinson Plantation’s 2022 ‘18th Century Trades Day’ Date Posted: September 26, 2022
Delaware Natural Resources Police Cite Sussex Man for Illegal Dumping Date Posted: September 23, 2022
Delaware Division of the Arts Announces 2022-2023 POETRY OUT LOUD Poetry Recitation Contest Date Posted: September 23, 2022
Governor Carney, Keep Delaware Beautiful, Delaware Department of Transportation Launch Litter Free School Zone Program Date Posted: September 23, 2022
2023 Delaware Teacher of the Year to be Named Next Month Date Posted: September 22, 2022
DNREC to Seek Community Water Project Proposals Date Posted: September 22, 2022
Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site public workshops Date Posted: September 22, 2022
Eligibility For Monkeypox Vaccine Expands Again In Delaware Date Posted: September 22, 2022
Las Oficinas De La División De Servicios De Manutención Infantil (DCSS Por Sus Siglas En Ingles) Cerrarán Sept 23 Date Posted: September 21, 2022
Delmarva Natural Gas Prices Set to Rise Ahead of Winter Heating Season Date Posted: September 21, 2022
2,075 Seedlings Planted for the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Tree Planting Date Posted: September 21, 2022
Blackbird State Forest’s Meadows Tract Renamed in Honor of Senator Bruce C. Ennis Date Posted: September 20, 2022
‘The War of 1812: Over Two Centuries Later’ Date Posted: September 20, 2022
DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Achieves National Accreditation after Rigorous Review Date Posted: September 20, 2022
DPH Announces #MyReasonWhyDE Youth Campaign Date Posted: September 20, 2022
DHSS to Expand Community Well-Being Initiative to Kent County Date Posted: September 19, 2022
Historical Affairs programs in October 2022 Date Posted: September 19, 2022
Division of Child Support Services Offices Will Be Closed Sept. 23 Date Posted: September 19, 2022
2023 Health, Dental, Small Group Insurance Rates Announced Date Posted: September 19, 2022
COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Information On Bivalent Boosters Date Posted: September 16, 2022
DNREC Announces Grants to Support Communities With Pollution Restoration Projects Date Posted: September 16, 2022
Brandywine Zoo Awarded Re-Accreditation by Association of Zoos and Aquariums Date Posted: September 15, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: September 15, 2022
September is Preparedness Month in Delaware Date Posted: September 15, 2022
DOJ Secures 646 Charges Against Husband, Wife for Serial Child Abuse and Torture Date Posted: September 14, 2022
DPH Shares Activities As Part Of Falls Prevention Awareness Week Date Posted: September 14, 2022
Delaware Waterfowl and Trout Stamp Art Winners Chosen Date Posted: September 14, 2022
Stephen Taylor to Lead Delaware Captive Bureau Date Posted: September 13, 2022
Delaware Hunters Reminded Harvest of Delmarva Fox Squirrels is Prohibited Date Posted: September 13, 2022
Delaware Office Of Highway Safety Anticipates Increase in Motorcycle Traffic for Delmarva Bike Week Date Posted: September 12, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Releases 19 More School District Audits Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Nominations Open for 2022 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award Date Posted: September 12, 2022
DPH Announces Expanded Monkeypox Vaccination Access and Vaccination During AIDS Walk Delaware Events On September 17 Date Posted: September 12, 2022
MONEY MATCH Program reunites over $460,000 to Delaware Taxpayers Date Posted: September 12, 2022
State Awards More Than $3.8 Million to Support High-Quality Professional Learning Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: The Adams Home Farm of Northwest Fork Hundred Date Posted: September 12, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: September 10, 2022
Arrest on Charge of DUI Made After Newark Man Drives Vehicle Into Surf on Navy Beach at Cape Henlopen Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Two Wilmington Gang Members Sentenced for Murders, Gun Charges Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Free Fly-Fishing Lessons Offered for Anglers Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Wilmington Man Sentenced in Revenge Murder Case Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Delaware Climate Leadership Academy to Launch Second Cohort Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Volunteers Needed To Plant Trees on September 17 at Blackbird State Forest, Enhancing the Chesapeake Bay Date Posted: September 7, 2022
DNREC Completes Murderkill Channel Dredging, Takes Momentum Into Fall for More Navigability Projects Date Posted: September 7, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Announces the First Ever Fraud Hotline Annual Report Date Posted: September 6, 2022
AG Jennings Announces $438.5 Million Multistate Agreement with JUUL Labs Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Sales Agreement for New Wilmington Library Location Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Heritage Commission’s Book of the Week: The Perennial Apprentice Date Posted: September 6, 2022
October Declared Delaware Cybersecurity Awareness Month Date Posted: September 2, 2022
Wilmington Man Arrested After Lewdness and Indecent Exposure Incidents at First State National Historical Park Date Posted: September 2, 2022
DPH Announces Updates To Monkeypox Cases, Vaccine Access And Launch Of Public Health Alert Web Portal Date Posted: September 1, 2022
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Event to be Held Oct. 7 to 9 at Camp Barnes Date Posted: September 1, 2022
DNREC to Reopen The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park Sept. 1 Date Posted: September 1, 2022
FDA Authorizes Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters; CDC Sign-Off Expected By Weekend Date Posted: August 31, 2022
DPH Announces First Human Case Of West Nile Virus Of The Year In Sussex County Man Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission to Hold Virtual Public Hearing on Horseshoe Crab Draft Addendum VIII Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Division Of Public Health Releases Information On 2020 Delaware Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Delaware Division Of Public Health Re-Accredited As Nationally Accredited Public Health Agency Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Flag Lowering for International Overdose Awareness Day Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Central Delaware Career Expo Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Appointments to State Board of Education Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Numerous Delaware Hunting Seasons to Open in September, Including Archery Deer, Resident Canada Goose, Teal Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Division of Small Business to Reopen EDGE Grants Competition for Applications Date Posted: August 30, 2022
DMV Announces New Medical Tint Waiver Application Process Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware Division of Public Health Launches New Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware’s Annual Chautauqua Tent Show, Sept. 8–11, 2022 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Gov. Charles L. Terry – Oral History Series Date Posted: August 29, 2022
DEHAP Rental Assistance Will Temporarily Pause On September 9 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Air Permitting Training Session Scheduled for Sept. 20 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Plans Underway for High-Capacity Magazine Buyback for Delaware Residents Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Delaware Transit Corporation Receives 5th Federal Grant for Energy Efficient Buses Date Posted: August 26, 2022
DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to Close Sept. 1 for Season Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Back to School…It’s Go Time Date Posted: August 26, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness: “Delaware Criminal Justice Council Policy Updates Improve Justice for All” Date Posted: August 25, 2022
DNREC Encourages Visitors to Utilize Guarded Beaches at Delaware State Parks for Swimming Date Posted: August 25, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia el 25 de Agosto Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits on August 25 Date Posted: August 24, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Inner Reflections” by Kiara Florez Date Posted: August 24, 2022
TranspARTation Grant Opportunity for Schools Returns for 2022-2023 School Year Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Felony Arrests Made Following Killens Pond State Park Water Park Burglary Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DPH Announces Six New Cases Of Monkeypox; Vaccine Expansion Underway Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Delaware Seeks Federal Grant to Support Cleaner School Buses Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: August 23, 2022
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Division of Public Health | Featured Posts | News | Date Posted: Thursday, September 29, 2022
DOVER, DE (Sept. 29, 2022) – October 2 marks the official start of the 2022-2023 influenza (flu) season. The flu vaccine plays a pivotal role in helping to avoid significant flu-related illnesses, including hospitalization and death. The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) believes it is vital for Delawareans to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting the flu vaccine as soon as possible, particularly given the ongoing battle against COVID-19 and a potentially active flu season ahead. The U.S. often looks to the experience of Australia and New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere during their flu season in the summer as a possible signal of what we might face. This year, the countries had a particularly active flu season.
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. Children younger than 5, older adults, pregnant women, and those with chronic underlying medical conditions are most at risk for complications from the flu and are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated now. DPH also urges vaccination for those who live or work with infants under 6 months of age and those who live or work in congregant settings such as long-term care and correctional facilities. DPH wants the public to know that the flu vaccine can be administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine, which includes the new bivalent booster.
DPH is expanding its data collection and presentation capabilities this year. For the first time, in a pilot of approximately 20 Influenza-Like Illness Network (ILI Net) Providers statewide, DPH will collect and report the results of rapid flu test results. In the past, DPH has reported only laboratory-confirmed cases, thereby limiting the picture of the actual incidence of flu in Delaware for a given flu season. Since DPH is increasing the amount of data it collects and shares, comparing the data with that of past years should be done cautiously. In addition to collecting rapid flu test results, DPH will begin collecting information on other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to get an expanded view of the respiratory viruses circulating during the influenza season. Later in October, DPH will make flu data available on the My Healthy Community data portal, much like it does for COVID-19. Data will still be updated weekly as in the past, but information related to flu vaccination rates in the state will be provided for the first time.
“The flu remains a serious health threat and we are already seeing influenza starting to circulate in advance of the official start of the season next week,” said Interim DPH Director Dr. Rick Hong. “The flu is contagious and has the ability to cause serious illness and even death. The vaccine is your best shot at reducing your risk of ending up in the hospital or worse. Despite recent decreases in COVID-19 cases, hospitals are still under strain, and Delawareans should continue to take steps to prevent emergency hospital visits, including getting the annual flu vaccine.”
Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies against influenza virus infection to develop in the body, it is crucial to get vaccinated as early as possible to give your body time to build immunity. Getting the flu vaccine now will also protect people during the entire flu season. Find information about the flu and where to get it at flu.delaware.gov.
Flu vaccines are available at pharmacies (including in grocery stores), participating medical provider offices, Federally Qualified Health Centers (for their patients), and Division of Public Health clinics. While DPH no longer holds mass community flu clinics, it is offering flu vaccines at community-based locations where the DPH mobile units also provide additional health services.
Flu symptoms come on suddenly and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills, and fatigue. Some signs and symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, including fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, and body aches, chills, and fatigue. Testing can effectively help you determine which illness you have. Children, older adults, and those with chronic underlying medical conditions are most at risk for complications from the flu and are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated now.
Those sick with the flu should stay home from work, school, and other gatherings and not return until they have been free of fever – with a temperature less than 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), without the use of fever-reducing medications – for at least 24 hours.
In addition, people with flu symptoms should avoid close contact with people in the household and stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other clear liquids. Over-the-counter medicines can provide symptom relief, but if you suspect you have influenza, call your doctor as they may decide to provide antiviral medications to help hasten recovery and prevent serious complications. Contacting your primary care provider is particularly important for those who feel very sick, are pregnant, or have chronic medical conditions.
DPH will again share flu-related messaging through radio, print, and social media messaging and distribute a toolkit to schools, community-based organizations, and medical providers to help encourage flu vaccination through their networks.
For more information about the flu and where to get vaccinated, visit flu.delaware.gov or call 1-800-282-8672.
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind, or speech-disabled can contact DPH by first dialing 711 using specialized devices (i.e., TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free; to learn more about how it works, visit delawarerelay.com.
Related Topics: 2022-2023 flu season, children, cold, delaware flu, flu, fly season, influenza, vaccines, virus
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Division of Public Health | Featured Posts | News | Date Posted: Thursday, September 29, 2022
DOVER, DE (Sept. 29, 2022) – October 2 marks the official start of the 2022-2023 influenza (flu) season. The flu vaccine plays a pivotal role in helping to avoid significant flu-related illnesses, including hospitalization and death. The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) believes it is vital for Delawareans to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting the flu vaccine as soon as possible, particularly given the ongoing battle against COVID-19 and a potentially active flu season ahead. The U.S. often looks to the experience of Australia and New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere during their flu season in the summer as a possible signal of what we might face. This year, the countries had a particularly active flu season.
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. Children younger than 5, older adults, pregnant women, and those with chronic underlying medical conditions are most at risk for complications from the flu and are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated now. DPH also urges vaccination for those who live or work with infants under 6 months of age and those who live or work in congregant settings such as long-term care and correctional facilities. DPH wants the public to know that the flu vaccine can be administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine, which includes the new bivalent booster.
DPH is expanding its data collection and presentation capabilities this year. For the first time, in a pilot of approximately 20 Influenza-Like Illness Network (ILI Net) Providers statewide, DPH will collect and report the results of rapid flu test results. In the past, DPH has reported only laboratory-confirmed cases, thereby limiting the picture of the actual incidence of flu in Delaware for a given flu season. Since DPH is increasing the amount of data it collects and shares, comparing the data with that of past years should be done cautiously. In addition to collecting rapid flu test results, DPH will begin collecting information on other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to get an expanded view of the respiratory viruses circulating during the influenza season. Later in October, DPH will make flu data available on the My Healthy Community data portal, much like it does for COVID-19. Data will still be updated weekly as in the past, but information related to flu vaccination rates in the state will be provided for the first time.
“The flu remains a serious health threat and we are already seeing influenza starting to circulate in advance of the official start of the season next week,” said Interim DPH Director Dr. Rick Hong. “The flu is contagious and has the ability to cause serious illness and even death. The vaccine is your best shot at reducing your risk of ending up in the hospital or worse. Despite recent decreases in COVID-19 cases, hospitals are still under strain, and Delawareans should continue to take steps to prevent emergency hospital visits, including getting the annual flu vaccine.”
Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies against influenza virus infection to develop in the body, it is crucial to get vaccinated as early as possible to give your body time to build immunity. Getting the flu vaccine now will also protect people during the entire flu season. Find information about the flu and where to get it at flu.delaware.gov.
Flu vaccines are available at pharmacies (including in grocery stores), participating medical provider offices, Federally Qualified Health Centers (for their patients), and Division of Public Health clinics. While DPH no longer holds mass community flu clinics, it is offering flu vaccines at community-based locations where the DPH mobile units also provide additional health services.
Flu symptoms come on suddenly and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills, and fatigue. Some signs and symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, including fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, and body aches, chills, and fatigue. Testing can effectively help you determine which illness you have. Children, older adults, and those with chronic underlying medical conditions are most at risk for complications from the flu and are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated now.
Those sick with the flu should stay home from work, school, and other gatherings and not return until they have been free of fever – with a temperature less than 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), without the use of fever-reducing medications – for at least 24 hours.
In addition, people with flu symptoms should avoid close contact with people in the household and stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other clear liquids. Over-the-counter medicines can provide symptom relief, but if you suspect you have influenza, call your doctor as they may decide to provide antiviral medications to help hasten recovery and prevent serious complications. Contacting your primary care provider is particularly important for those who feel very sick, are pregnant, or have chronic medical conditions.
DPH will again share flu-related messaging through radio, print, and social media messaging and distribute a toolkit to schools, community-based organizations, and medical providers to help encourage flu vaccination through their networks.
For more information about the flu and where to get vaccinated, visit flu.delaware.gov or call 1-800-282-8672.
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind, or speech-disabled can contact DPH by first dialing 711 using specialized devices (i.e., TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free; to learn more about how it works, visit delawarerelay.com.
Related Topics: 2022-2023 flu season, children, cold, delaware flu, flu, fly season, influenza, vaccines, virus
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
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