Julie Yates
Mayes County Health Department will have seasonal flu shots available Oct. 6.
Darla Thompson, regional administrative program officer for Mayes, Adair and Cherokee counties, said the health department is expecting over 1,000 doses in the first batch of seasonal flu vaccines.
“We’ll have enough doses to go the whole day,” Thompson said.
The Oct. 6 clinic will last from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. while supplies last at the Mayes County Health Department.
There is no anticipated shortage of vaccine; the Mayes County Health Department will continue to make it available through additionally scheduled clinics at the local health department building.
“While the new H1N1 (swine flu) influenza has been the focus of so much attention since last spring, it is important that we do not forget the risks posed by seasonal influenza viruses. Now is the time for Mayes County residents to get their annual seasonal flu shot,” said Mayes County Health Department Administrative Director Linda Axley. “This shot is different from the new H1N1 flu vaccine and will protect against this year’s seasonal influenza virus strains for the entire flu season.”
Axley said even though we will be giving the seasonal flu shot to anyone over the age of 19 who wants to be protected from seasonal flu, the vaccine is especially recommended for these priority groups; adults 50 years of age or older, pregnant women, persons with chronic medical conditions, residents who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, persons who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from
the flu, and health care workers.
Axley emphasized that flu can be a serious disease. Each year about 60 million Americans get the seasonal flu, resulting in about 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations. “Getting a flu shot each year is the best and most important step in protecting against flu,” she said.
Axley suggested Mayes County residents “take 3 actions” to prevent the flu.
• First, take time to get vaccinated for seasonal flu.
• Second, take those everyday preventive actions to keep from spreading flu viruses: cover your cough; wash your hands; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. And if you get sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medications.
• Third, take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them, especially if you are at increased risk of complications from the flu.
Although there is no charge for getting a flu shot from the Mayes County Health Department, voluntary donations will be accepted. “The purchase cost for each dose of vaccine is almost $11, in addition to the costs of administering the vaccine,” said Axley. “During these tight budget times, we’ll appreciate any contributions to help us offset our costs.”
In addition to getting a flu vaccination, persons 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions should ask their doctor if they should be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, which is a common and potentially serious complication of the flu. Unlike the influenza vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine does not need to be given every year. This vaccine is available at physicians’ offices and the Mayes County Health Department.
In addition to continued adult seasonal flu immunization clinics, Mayes County Health Department will host a children’s flu clinic (ages 6 months to 18 yrs) on Monday, Oct. 12 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Later in the fall the health department will begin scheduling their H1N1 immunization clinics. Stay tuned to the local newspaper and radio for further details.
For more information, contact the Mayes County Health Department at 918-825-4224.
H1N1 vaccines are expected in mid-October.
