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Batch of flu vaccine arrives
By JAMIE MALERNEE © St. Petersburg Times, published November 30, 2000 The Hernando County Health Department has received its shipment of 1,000 flu shots, but health workers are asking only high-risk residents to get in line. Flu vaccinations have been in scant supply nationally after manufacturers had trouble growing a virus strain. So, now that the county has gotten the shots it normally receives in October, officials are offering them first to those who need them most -- particularly people older than 65 and the sick. "We're asking people to go by the high-risk criteria," said assistant nursing director Janet Dick. "There are thousands and thousands of flu deaths every year, especially among the elderly." Other people who are considered high-risk include those with chronic illnesses -- such as heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease or asthma -- pregnant women, nursing home residents, children and teens on long-term aspirin therapy, and people with autoimmune diseases. No appointments are necessary. Those who wish to be vaccinated need only bring their Medicare Part B card or $12 cash. Shots also will be available at some grocery stores, which will be following high-risk guidelines, as well. Those who are not high risk who want shots may see their doctors or go to private health clinics, although the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked that younger, healthy people wait until the high-risk people are vaccinated. "We are expecting a hearty crowd," Dick said, in what will most likely prove an understatement. Flu shot shortages have created long lines elsewhere in the county as local drug stores, grocery stores and clinics ran out of supplies. Manufacturers had trouble growing one of the influenza strains used in this year's vaccine. Because different flu strains circle the globe each year, a new vaccine must be brewed annually. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration earlier this year ordered two of the nation's four vaccine makers to correct manufacturing problems in their factories, delaying production. Despite the delay and the two-week minimum it takes to build up immunity after receiving a shot, Dick said it is not too late to get vaccinated. In fact, she said, the most dangerous time of year for the flu is right around the corner, and people should be prepared. "Many times people get sick after the holidays, when visitors from out of state go back home and leave the little germs they brought with them behind," she said. Flu kills about 20,000 Americans each year and puts 110,000 in the hospital. At least 80-million Americans received a flu shot last year; one is needed annually for protection. Developing a flu vaccine is something of a race every summer, as scientists work to identify the strains of virus most likely to hit, then make enough vaccine fast enough for it to do any good. Influenza circles the world from east to west, and the CDC and the World Health Organization post lookouts in Asia, Europe and Africa to determine which strains are most prevalent. U.S. health officials then decide on the makeup of the vaccine. For more information, the health department can be reached at 754-4067. General flu information is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at (800) 232-2522 (English), (800) 232-0233 (Spanish) or on the Web at http://www.cdc.gov/nip. Flu shot scheduleHernando County Health Department, Spring Hill branch, 7465 Forest Oaks Blvd., 1-4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11 and 18. Hernando County Health Department, 300 S Main St., Brooksville, 1-4 p.m., Dec. 7, 14 and 28 Publix, 19490 Cortez Boulevard, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday Winn-Dixie, S Broad St., Brooksville, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday Publix, 13090 Cortez Boulevard, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 7 Publix, 1400 Pinehurst Drive, on 4-8 p.m. Dec. 8. Publix, 14371 Spring Hill Drive, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 12
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From today's Hernando Times |
