NEW CASTLE – At the annual Division of Public Health (DPH) flu immunization clinic at the New Castle Farmers Market, Governor Jack Markell urged Delawareans age six months and older to get their annual flu vaccination as early as possible. Then he pushed up his sleeve to receive his own flu shot.

“Get your flu vaccination, not the flu,” Governor Markell said. “The flu vaccine protects you and your family, co-workers, and others. The flu is easy to transmit and you can get it from healthy – but unvaccinated – children and adults.”

“All Delawareans, especially our elderly, our young children, those with chronic health conditions and compromised immune systems, need protection,” said Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Rita Landgraf who also received a flu vaccine at Friday’s clinic. “Even if you’re not in a high-risk group, you likely live or interact with those who are.” Individuals with lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions are at risk of suffering such complications from influenza as pneumonia, worsened asthma, and circulatory problems.

Last year’s flu season was particularly difficult. During the 2014-2015 flu season, Delaware had 28 reported flu-related deaths and over 2,300 reported flu cases, compared to four deaths and more than 1,700 reported flu cases in the prior season. The biggest challenge last year was the unexpected mutation of one strain. Past experience showed that this particular strain resulted in more hospitalizations and deaths, especially among those at highest risk of complications from flu infection. These include older people, the very young and those with underlying medical conditions. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is confident of a better match between the vaccine and this year’s circulating viruses.

“The protection offered by vaccinations is important for everyone, not just those at high risk,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “Healthy people who get sick from the flu might not be hospitalized or die, but they might miss important school or work functions or fun events like family time, holidays or a vacation or get other people sick.”

Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop and provide protection against the flu, Dr. Rattay recommends getting vaccinated as soon as possible, preferably by the end of October. Seasonal flu activity commonly peaks in the United States between December and February.

The Farmers Market flu clinic is one of 36 DPH flu clinics scheduled statewide from October through December. It also doubles as the site for a mass flu immunization emergency preparedness drill. Among other things, this year the drill is testing DPH’s ability to quickly and efficiently serve people with disabilities and ensure their needs are met as part of a larger vaccination event.

“Many Delawareans have access and functional needs – seniors, people who use wheelchairs, walkers, and canes, people who speak a different language, and those who cannot see or hear or use the English language well,” said Nick Fina, who has profound, lifelong hearing loss. “I’m glad that Delaware Health and Social Services is offering additional accommodations in recognition of our needs, and that they are receptive to suggestions.”

Flu symptoms come on suddenly, and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and body aches, and fatigue. Some people get complications including pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections. Providers can prescribe antiviral medicines to make illness milder, hasten recovery, and prevent serious complications, hospitalizations, and even death.

DHSS asks Delawareans to first seek flu vaccine from their health providers. DPH flu clinics are available for those who without a doctor, who cannot pay for the vaccine because they are uninsured, or who do not have insurance that covers the vaccine. Flu vaccinations are also available through most area pharmacies, grocery stores, and college health centers.

Though the DPH flu clinic vaccinations are free, donations and Medicaid are accepted. The DPH clinics located at the Hudson State Service Center in New Castle County, the Williams State Service Center in Kent County and the Adams State Service Center in Sussex County also vaccinate ages 6 and above by appointment. Children ages 6 months to 8 years who receive the flu vaccine for the first time need two doses, with the second dose given at least 28 days after the first dose.

For Public Health vaccination clinic dates or find out how to schedule an appointment, call the Delaware Immunization Hotline at 800-282-8672 or visit www.flu.delaware.gov.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services 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. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.

NEWARK – Filling in as a guest host for the Governor’s weekly message, Delaware State Housing Authority Director Anas Ben Addi discusses economic development projects underway through the state’s Downtown Development District program.

“With urban areas across the country growing rapidly, we must ensure our cities are attractive places to live, work, and visit – to raise a family and to start and expand a business,” said Ben Addi. “By bringing more projects like these to Delaware, we can unleash the untapped potential of our cities at a time when more people are seeking dynamic and exciting urban environments. And that, will keep Delaware moving forward.”
Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

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Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Unleashing the Untapped Potential of Our Downtowns

Healthy and vibrant downtowns are critical components of Delaware’s economic well-being and quality of life. With urban areas across the country growing rapidly, we must ensure our cities are attractive places to live, work, and visit – to raise a family and to start and expand a business. It’s why we started the Downtown Development District program, designed to spur private investments that renovate old properties, build new ones, and revitalize neighborhoods.

Funding approved by the General Assembly has allowed us to provide $5.6 million in grants for projects in our first downtown districts in Wilmington, Dover, and Seaford. Those grants have leveraged an additional $114 million in private investment to refurbish buildings that house small businesses, create green space and build new housing. And we ensure the goals of each individual project contribute to our larger goal to promote thriving local communities and strong economies. In Seaford, we broke ground this past week on the Residences at River Place, a project that will create homes for more than 70 Delaware families and stimulate job growth.

Recently we also celebrated the completion of two home renovation projects in Dover. And the State Housing Authority has announced a second round of funding for Downtown Development Districts: that’s $8 million in grants for investments in rehabilitation, along with expansion or new construction of commercial, industrial, residential and mixed-use buildings. By bringing more projects like these to Delaware, we can unleash the untapped potential of our cities at a time when more people are seeking dynamic and exciting urban environments. And that, will keep Delaware moving forward.

DOVER, DE – With the passing of former State Representative Charles P. West on October 7, 2015, Governor Markell has ordered the American and Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff beginning immediately, as a mark of respect for Representative West and his service to Delaware. Representative West served in the Delaware House from 1956-1958 and 1978-2002, representing the Gumboro and Millsboro areas. During his time in the legislature, he championed education issues and helped establish the Sussex County Veterans Cemetery. Representative West also served his country and community as a World War II veteran in the U.S. Army and founding member of the Gumboro Volunteer Fire Company.

Flags are to be returned to full staff at close of business on the day of Representative West’s interment, Monday, October 12, 2015.

Sussex County emergency managers are asking property owners and residents affected by last week’s powerful coastal storm to submit information on any damage to homes and businesses so officials can map the reports and gain a clearer sense of what issues the nor’easter left in its wake.

Members of the public who experienced any storm-related damage to their properties can report incidents to the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center by calling the EOC at (302) 856-7366 beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. Property owners and residents should be prepared to provide details about the type of damage suffered, what caused it, the location, and whether they have insurance.

Damage must be a result of the storm between Thursday, Oct. 1, and Monday, Oct. 5. Only businesses and primary residences, not seasonal homes, are eligible.

“Public reports are critical for emergency managers to assess the amount of damage that follows an event like the recent nor’easter,” EOC Director Joseph L. Thomas said. “We know there is some flooding damage, particularly along the Inland Bays and other low-lying areas, and the best way to gather details is to have the public provide information on how they were adversely affected.”

Information collected by the Sussex County EOC will be used for assessment reports that are shared with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) for consideration toward any future federal disaster assistance application.  Claims should be submitted to Sussex County Emergency Management Officials and not to DEMA.