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A LITTLE STING FENDS OFF FLU PUBLIC CLINICS
It's fall, and that means it's flu-shot season
Date published: 10/8/2008
BY JIM HALL
The flu-shot season is here with ample supplies of the vaccine, new guidelines for school-age children and another Health Department terror drill that will feature free flu vaccine.
PLENTY OF VACCINE AVAILABLE
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that manufacturers have produced more than 143 million doses of flu vaccine this year, an all-time high.
This translates to ample supplies locally. The Rappahannock Area Health District received its entire order of vaccine, 2,800 doses, before the start of the season.
"We tend to be getting it earlier this year than I have seen in the last seven years," said Sylvia Newport, immunization coordinator.
Pratt Medical Center, which also sponsors public, walk-in clinics, received a shipment of 6,000 doses.
"Supply, I don't think, is going to be an issue," said Robert Alexander, chief executive officer. "I think we'll be able to take care of anyone who wants it."
Dr. Sebastian Sicari, regional medical director for NextCare Urgent Care in Spotsylvania County, said that a pharmaceutical salesman came by his office this week offering vaccine.
Sicari told the salesman he had an adequate supply.
"We're ready to go," he said.
NEW GUIDELINES THIS YEAR
The CDC has added children, ages 5 through 18, to the list of people who should get the flu shot.
The addition of school-age children to the federal guidelines, combined with the younger children who were added last year, means that all children over the age of 6 months are now considered at risk and should receive the annual vaccine.
"It's a good change," Newport said.
Children are the most likely group to contract the flu, according to the CDC. In addition, children under the age of 2, along with the elderly and those with other medical conditions, are among the most likely to suffer serious injury and death from the flu.
"What I try and do, every child that comes in, I remind them, let's get your flu shot this year," said Dr. Daniel Trementozzi, pediatrician at the Caroline Christian Health Center in Ladysmith. "I also remind the parents that they are an important barrier."
FREE SHOTS AT TERROR DRILL
Health Department workers will again be practicing how to immunize large numbers of people in a short amount of time.
| Local Health Department offices began offering flu shots last week. The vaccine is available to all and costs $30. Here's the schedule:
CAROLINE: Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to noon.
FREDERICKSBURG: Fridays, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Children: Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
KING GEORGE: Thursdays, 8 a.m. to noon, except Oct. 9.
SPOTSYLVANIA: Fridays, 8 a.m. to noon.
STAFFORD: Fridays, 8 a.m. to noon.
For more information, call 540/899-4797.
Pratt Medical Center also offers walk-in clinics for the public.
The shots are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at its corporate office on State Route 3 in Spotsylvania County.
Pratt also is hosting public clinics on Oct. 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3 and 10 at its Garrisonville Road office and an evening clinic Oct. 16 at its Internal Medicine office on Plank Road. Call 540/ 785-7778 for times. The cost is $33. |
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Date published: 10/8/2008
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