As of Tuesday, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention had followed up on six outbreaks of influenza and reported that the disease has spread to all of the states 16 counties.
To prevent the spread of the disease, the Maine CDC recommends: frequent hand washing, covering your mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing, staying home while sick, and that everyone aged 6 months and older, especially those people at high risk of serious complications from influenza, get vaccinated.
Influenza vaccine is provided at no cost by the state for children under the age of 19. Vaccines are still available through school-sponsored clinics, health care providers, and many local pharmacies. The vaccine offers protection in 14 days.
For questions about vaccination, contact the Maine Immunization Program at 800-867-4775 or immunizeme@maine.gov.
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