Health officials encourage influenza shot

By Rayma Silvers

The Fort Scott Tribune

Area residents who do not enjoy having a fever, head ache, chills, muscle aches or fatigue can take steps to combat these symptoms before they ever start.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department and the First United Methodist Church, 301 S. National, will be conducting a drive-by flu clinic at the church for area residents, providing flu shots for a $30 charge.

The flu, which is caused by the influenza virus, is a contagious disease often spread by coughing, sneezing, or nasal secretions, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Bourbon County Public Health Nurse Alice Maffett said flu season begins in October and continues through the winter months ending in April. Since it takes two weeks for the shot to become fully effective residents are encouraged to get a flu shot as soon as it becomes available.

Tuesday's Drive-thru clinic offers local residents a quick and convenient way to receive their yearly flu shot, protecting them from influenza for one year, Maffett said. According to Maffett, the drive-thru flu clinic has been conducted two other times in the past. Both times the clinics were well-received by the public. Due to a lack of vaccine availability in recent years, Maffett said the drive-thru clinic has not been conducted lately. With plenty of availability this year, Maffett said she wants to make the shots are available to the public early, helping area residents to be ready for the flu season.

According to Maffett, the number one way for residents to prevent the flu is to receive the flu shot. The second best way to guard against the virus, is to maintain a strict regimen of hand washing. It is also important to avoid interacting with people who are already ill. Maffett added residents should be cautious when going into crowded areas where one might encounter people who are infected with the virus.

According to the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the influenza virus can be life-threatening in some cases.

"Every year in the Untied States approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 die from complications of influenza infection," the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia said. "Most of the people who die are older than 65, but many of those who are hospitalized are younger than four. Children hospitalized because of influenza usually have high fever, wheezing, croup or pneumonia. Because influenza is a virus, it can't be successfully treated with antibiotics."

According to the CDC, children who are at least six months of age or older and anyone 50 years of age and older should receive the influenza vaccination. Also, anyone who is at risk of complications from the flu should also receive the vaccination. Furthermore, the CDC recommends the vaccination to anyone who wants to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with the flu or spreading the virus to others.

According to the CDC, residents who have severe allergies, have ever had Guillanin-Barre Syndrome, or people who are moderately or severely ill should talk with their doctors before receiving a flu shot. This year's flu vaccines concentrate on the Brisbane, Uruguay and Florida flu strains.

According to Maffett, residents who wish to participate in the drive-thru clinic should bring their regular Medicare Part B, Medicaid, or supplemental insurance cards with them. No Railroad Medicare cards will be accepted this year, Maffett said.

Flu clinic participants are asked to follow specific driving directions in order to prevent traffic-related problems, Maffett said.

"Please come down Main Street and turn west on Fourth Street and turn into the south church entrance, you will exit to the north on National," Maffett said.

For more information, residents can call the health department at (620)223-4464.