Health departments prepare for flu season
By BRETT DUNLAPPARKERSBURG - Health departments in Wood and Washington counties are preparing for the upcoming flu season.
The shortages of vaccinations that plagued the nation in past years isn't the case in 2008 as ample supplies on hand, officials said at both county health departments.
''We have our vaccinations,'' said Jane Moore, clinical director for the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department. ''We are planning a number of clinics throughout our coverage area.''
The health covers Calhoun, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt and Wood counties.
Moore said the first batch of clinics will begin in the area high rises on Thursday.
They are also planning a flu clinic at City Park Oct. 21 which will also double as an emergency preparedness clinic where health department officials will train in having to vaccinate a large number of people in a time of emergency.
The clinic had been held in the past at the Dils Center. It was moved to the park to accommodate more people with more parking, Moore said adding the clinic will be held 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pavilion.
Other clinics are planned in the counties served by the health department in October with health fairs, company visits and more. They are also planning to do clinics for the staffs at the area public schools.
The Washington County Health Department will be holding a "Drive-Thru Flu Clinic" from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 13 at the health department at 342 Muskingum Drive, said Valerie Betkoski, director of nursing.
''People won't have to get out of their cars to get a flu shot,'' Betkoski said.
The Washington County Health Department has received its full allotment of shots, which includes more than 3,000 doses with the ability to secure more if needed.
After the initial clinic, regular immunizations will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Fridays and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays.
In the 2007-2008 flu season, laboratories confirmed 1,037 cases of Influenza A in West Virginia and 815 of Influenza B.
Nurse Judy Bolton of Mercer County says this year's flu vaccine is better than last year's, which was only 44 percent effective. She says the new one matches two types of Influenza A and one type of Influenza B.
This year's vaccinations are expected to cover three strains of the flu including H1N1 (Influenza A), H3N2 (Influenza A) and B-Florida (Influenza B).
The Centers for Disease Control recommends vaccinations for all children over 6 months and adults over 50. Health care officials also advise women who will be pregnant during flu season and anyone with a weakened immune system or long-term health problem to be immunized.
Along with young people, people 65 and older, people with chronic illness and medical caregivers are also being targeted for immunization.
Betkoski said this year there will be more of a focus on getting children 6-months-old to 18-years-old vaccinated.
''We are finding they are very good transferors of infections,'' she said. ''They tend to pass it around really well.''
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MissOlen
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09-30-08 4:26 PM
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Weel, consider posting notes within the grocery stores...COVER YOUR FACE WHEN YOU COUGH AND SNEEZE. I was in wal mart and seen numerous people hacking and sneezing and wiping their noses on their hands and still picking up the items in the food section. consider that when your shopping.
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