Putnam sets flu shot clinics

Published:  Saturday, September 29, 2007 (2 years, 4 months ago)
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Epidemics of influenza typically occur in winter months and have been responsible for an average of approximately 36,000 deaths per year in the United States.
Influenza viruses cause disease among all age groups but rates are typically higher among children.  Rates of serious illness and death are higher among those 65 years and older, children under 2 years of age and those of any age who have medical conditions which place them at higher risk for complications.  Getting the influenza vaccine is the best way to prevent influenza and its severe complications.
This year, the Putnam County Health Department is offering two flu vaccines. One is a weakened live vaccine given as a nasal spray and can be given to any healthy individuals who are 2–49 years old, excluding women who are pregnant. The inactivated vaccine, given by injection, is indicated for everyone else. Both types are trivalent vaccines, meaning there are three strains of influenza covered by the vaccine. This year, those strains include A/Solomon Islands/3/2006 (H1N1)-like; A/Wisconsin/67/2007 (H3N2)-like and B/Malasia/2506/2004–like antigen.
The Putnam County Health Department has planned clinics to administer the influenza vaccine to residents at various locations throughout the county.  Anyone with Medicare Part B or Medicaid can get a flu shot free of charge.  Clients must show their card at the time of service. For all others, the cost is $20. All clinics are on a walk-in basis; no appointments are necessary.
The influenza vaccination clinics open to the public include:
— Oct. 18 from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. at Putnam County Health Department;
— Oct. 25 from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. at Ottawa Senior Citizens Center;
— Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to noon at Columbus Grove VFW;
— Nov. 9 from 2-5 p.m. at Ft. Jennings State Banks in Leipsic and Columbus Grove;
— Nov. 9 from 3-6 p.m. at Ft. Jennings State Banks in Ft. Jennings and Ottoville; and
— Nov. 27 from 9-11 a.m. at Meadows of Leipsic’s Lilac Room.
Please call the health department at 419-523-5608 with any questions.

Why should someone get the flu vaccine?
Many people feel like they don’t need the flu shot for various reasons. But it’s important to make this decision based on the facts. Influenza viruses are spread from person-to-person primarily through contact with someone’s infected cough or sneeze. Adults can be infectious from the day before symptoms begin through approximately 5 days after the onset of illness. Children can be infectious for 10 days or more, and young children can transmit the virus for several days before they show symptoms. For immunocompromised persons, the virus can be shed for weeks or months. So you can get the virus or give it to others without yet knowing you are sick.
Uncomplicated influenza symptoms include fever, body aches, headache, cough, sore throat, and runny nose. Children can also have ear aches, nausea, and vomiting. Illnesses from influenza are often difficult to differentiate from illnesses caused by other respiratory diseases. Influenza illness typically lasts 3-7 days for the majority of persons, but the cough and body aches can last 2 weeks or longer. For certain persons, influenza can make their underlying medical conditions even worse which can lead to pneumonia, blood and brain infections, and viruses in and around the heart.  These complications often mean going to the hospital and sometimes death.
The best way to prevent influenza is to get the influenza vaccine. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends vaccination for:
• Persons aged 50 years and older
• Adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma
• Adults and children who have metabolic disorders (diabetes), kidney dysfunction, blood disorders, or immunosuppression caused by disease or medications
• Adults and children who have any condition that can compromise their respiratory function or handling of secretions (i.e. seizures, spinal cord injuries, stroke)
• Children aged 2-18 years on long term aspirin therapy
• Women who are pregnant during the influenza season
• Children aged 6-59 months
• Anyone who has contact with those at high risk of complications from influenza including health care workers, child care providers especially for those 0-59 months, group home workers, and assisted living employees
If you have any questions as to where you fit into the vaccination picture, please consult your doctor, health care provider, or the health department.

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