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Counties offer flu protection

Posted November 11, 2007 10:00 pm

Catherine Kurtelawicz

Last year, supplies of flu vaccine were low. This year, there's plenty for anyone who wants to ward off winter sickness, said Herkimer County Public Health Department prevention supervisor Jill Barra.

"They are abundant this year," Barra said. "There is no problem getting a vaccine."

Local vaccination clinics began about a

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<td>PREVENTING ILLNESS</td>

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<li>Avoid close contact with people who are sick.</li>

<li>Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.</li>

<li>Wash your hands often.</li>

<li>Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.</li>

<li>Practice other healthy habits such as getting plenty of sleep, staying active, managing stress and maintaining a healthy diet.

Source: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</li>

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week ago and Ken Fanelli, a spokesman for the Oneida County Health Department, said the clinics haven't been seeing the turnout they have expected.

Fanelli attributes this to a few factors:

<li>It's still early in the season. </li>

<li>More retail outlets, such as drug stores, are offering flu shots. </li>

<li>The area has had unseasonably warm weather.

"People don't start thinking about it until the weather turns cold," he said.

Barbara Lawton, registered nurse for the Herkimer County Public Health Department, explained the necessity </li>

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<td>COUNTY FLU CLINICS</td>

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<td>* Flu shots are $20 for adults.

* People with Medicare Part B or Medicaid are covered.

* Those people with Medicare Managed Care Plans who choose not to receive the shot from their primary care physician will be charged $20.

Oneida County Health Department Adult Flu Clinics

Nov. 13, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Town of Trenton Municipal Bldg., 8520 Old Poland Rd., Barneveld

Nov. 13, 1 to 2 p.m., Town of Bridgewater Municipal Bldg., Rt. 8, Bridgewater

Nov. 14, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Town of Paris Offices, Sulphur Springs Rd., Sauquoit

Nov. 14, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Verona Town Offices, 6600 Germany Rd., Durhamville

Nov. 16, 1 to 3 p.m., Oneida County Health Dept., 406 Elizabeth St., Utica

Nov. 19, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Oneida County Health Dept., 228 W. Dominick St-Bldg B, Rome

Nov. 20, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Town of Kirkland Seniors, Mill St., Clark Mills

Nov. 20, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Vernon Town Hall, 4305 Peterboro Rd, Vernon

Nov. 26, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Town of Marcy Seniors, Rt. 291 & Paul Becker Rd., Marcy

Nov. 26, 1 to 2 p.m., School House Apts., Stafford Ave., Waterville

Nov. 27, 9:30 to11 a.m., Town of Lee Offices, 5808 Stokes-Lee Center Rd., Lee Center

Nov. 27, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Sherrill City Offices, 373 Sherrill Rd., Sherrill

Nov. 28, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Boonville Methodist Church, 202 Main St., Boonville

Nov. 28, 1 to 2 p.m., Steuben Town Hall, 9458 Soule Rd., Steuben

Nov. 29, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Whitestown Community Center, 1 Championship Way, Whitesboro

For children's vaccinations, call 798-5747.

Herkimer County Adult Health Flu Clinics

Nov. 14, 9 to 11 a.m., Middleville Fire Hall, 41 N Main St., Middleville

Nov. 14, 1 to 3 p.m., Schuyler Town Hall, Route 5S, Schuyler

For information, call 867-1176.

Children, adult vaccinations

From 9 to 11 a.m., every Tuesday and Thursday, children and adult flu shots will be given at 301 N. Washington Street, Herkimer.

Children and adults may also come to evening clinics at the same place from 4 to 7 p.m. on: Nov. 19, Nov. 26, Dec. 3 and Dec. 10.</td>

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of the flu shot by the "herd theory."

"The more people in the herd that get (the shot), the less the herd infects each other," she said.

Although it is suggested that everyone over the age of 6 months gets the vaccine every year, some people are more at risk than others: </li>

<li>Children from 6 months to 5 years old. </li>

<li>Anyone 50 years old or older. </li>

<li>Pregnant women. </li>

<li>Anyone with a weakened immune system. </li>

<li>Residents of nursing homes or other chronic-care facilities.

Why they get shots Harry Reeder and his wife, Annette, both 76, of Herkimer attended a flu vaccination clinic Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church on Prospect Street in Herkimer.

The couple said they get flu vaccinations every year not only for their own health, but for their health of the four children and six grandchildren.

"At our age it is the recommended thing," Reeder said as he sat next to his wife, filling out paperwork before receiving his shot. "And if in fact it does prevent us from getting the flu, that helps keep medical costs down for us."

There are multiple risks that individuals run by not receiving a vaccination, Barra said.

She said that if a person becomes ill with the flu it could cost them money for medical treatment, require time off of work and it can also cause other more serious health issues.

Virginia Shaw, 62, of Richfield Springs retired last year from 18 years of teaching family and consumer science at Little Falls High School. She said she gets the shot out of habit now, but thinks that it has helped her stay healthy.

"I haven't really been sick with the flu in years," she said.

No needles, no tears Barra said a common misconception is that people can become ill from the flu vaccine.

"It is impossible to get the flu from the vaccine," she explained. "It's an inactivated virus."

Fanelli said people may still get the flu, but it is not from receiving the vaccination.

There will also be a noticeable difference in the effects of the illness.

"It should be a lesser severity and shorter duration," he said.

Barra also said that many children are afraid to get the vaccine because they are scared of shots.

But for the past few years the department has offered an alternative to shots, with the flu mist. This includes a spray up the patient's nose that provides the same level of protection at the traditional shot.

Herkimer County Public Health Department registered nurse Diane Ward said her daughter, Katelyn Ashe, 7, hated shots.

That's why Ward said she decided to try the mist.

"I had to chase her around the house to get that shot, and now, no tears," she said.

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