California Pharmacists Association and Other Health Experts Warn Californians about the Importance of Immunizations and the Proper Use of Antibiotics During the Upcoming Flu Season.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- More than 36,000 Deaths Occur Each Year Due to Influenza and Pneumonia with 95% of those Deaths Attributed to Seniors

With the flu season rapidly approaching, the California Pharmacists Association along with other health experts kicked off American Pharmacists Month (October) and recognized Antibiotic Resistance Awareness Week by hosting an educational forum discussing the proper use of antibiotics as well as the importance of Californians, most notably seniors, receiving immunizations for influenza and pneumonia.

"Influenza season is approaching and October through December are the major months to receive influenza vaccine," said Dr. Howard Backer, Chief, Immunization Branch, California Department of Health Services. "Children 6 months to 2 years of age, adults over 50 years of age, people of any age with chronic health conditions that put them at risk of complications from influenza, and all health care workers should make plans to receive the vaccine."

Each year more than 200,000 Americans are hospitalized and more than 36,000 Americans die from influenza and pneumonia, with 95 percent of those individuals being seniors. In 2003, more than 8,000 Californian's died from influenza and pneumonia. Most of these hospitalizations and deaths could be avoided through simple immunization. Influenza immunization coverage in California's older adult population (65+ years) has held steady at 70% over the past few years. A disparity in immunization coverage with Hispanic and African-American seniors persists today with only 52% being covered. In any year, a new strain of influenza may emerge that causes higher mortality. When a unique strain emerges that has never circulated, or has not circulated in several decades, there is the risk of a pandemic - a severe worldwide epidemic.

"Many Americans believe that taking an antibiotic will help them alleviate their flu symptoms," said Carlo Michelotti, RPh, MPH, Chief Executive Officer of the California Pharmacists Association. "Antibiotics only kill bacteria not viral infections such as the cold or the flu. Not only does taking an antibiotic for the flu provide no benefit but it could actually have adverse side effects. Pharmacists throughout California are helping to bring light to this problem by distributing more than 2 million bag stuffers that offer tips on the proper use of antibiotics."

Antibiotics are powerful medicines that can kill bacteria and only bacteria. Misusing antibiotics can cause infections that are more difficult to treat. This can result in longer and costlier hospitalizations and infections that must be treated with stronger antibiotics that may cause more serious side effects.

There has been a dramatic drop in the number of women who believe antibiotics can cure a cold and the flu, thanks in part to the unique partnership between the California Pharmacists Association and the California Medical Association Foundation's AWARE Project. New survey data has found a nearly 30% relative decline among California women overall. However, the study also shows we must continue to alert all women about the dangers of antibiotic resistance. Results show more outreach and education must be done in the African-American community as women 55 and older were found to be nearly 4-times as likely to mistakenly reach for an antibiotic when they have a viral infection.

Pharmacists play a pivotal role in the intricate system of checks and balances that individuals use to obtain their medications. Every day pharmacists strive to protect patients from negative drug interactions and work to ensure their patients' understanding of proper and safe medication use. This role is especially important as studies show that 235 million doses of antibiotics are consumed annually in the US and that up to 20-50 percent of prescribed antibiotics are being used improperly.

Tips when using antibiotics:

--Do not share antibiotics with others.

--Do not take antibiotics unless you are under a doctor's supervision.

--Do not request an antibiotic - if your doctor says you don't need it, chances are you don't!

* Understand that antibiotics are for bacterial infections not for viral infections such as the common cold and flu.

--Finish your entire course of medication. Stopping before all the medicine is gone allows less susceptible bacteria to survive and replicate.

General facts about influenza and its complications:

--Influenza can be treated with safe, effective vaccines

--Influenza vaccine can prevent 50 to 60% of hospitalizations and 80% of deaths from influenza related complications among elderly person in nursing homes

--Total direct hospitalizations costs of a severe influenza epidemic are estimated to be up to $2 billion.

--Average 35,000 influenza associated deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations occur in the U.S. per year

--Influenza and pneumonia ranked sixth in the leading cause of death in California

Pharmacists...The Other White Coat!"

The California Pharmacists Association is the largest state pharmacy association in the nation and the professional society representing all pharmacists in California. The mission of the Association is to act as the leader in advocating the role of the pharmacist as an essential provider of health care and to support pharmacists in providing optimal pharmaceutical care. For more information, log onto www.cpha.com.

For more information regarding antibiotics and the Alliance Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education (AWARE) program, please visit www.aware.md.

For more information regarding influenza and immunizations, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/