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Health officials recommend flu vaccinations
Local health officials are recommending that individuals get vaccinated in preparation of flu season.
Bourbon County Public Health Nurse Alice Maffett said she recommends that everyone older than 6 months of age get vaccinated this year and to get vaccinated early.
According to the Center for Disease Control, a study during the 1990s found that flu-related deaths averaged 36,000 -- ranging from an estimated 17,000 during the mildest season to 52,000 during the most severe season. During a regular flu season, about 90 percent of deaths occur in people 65 years and older.
Maffett said that everyone should be vaccinated, however the following groups are highly encouraged to get vaccinated: pregnant women, children younger than 5 but especially children younger than 2-years-old, people 50 years of age and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu such as health care workers, people with household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu, and people with household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age.
Maffett added the following should not get vaccinated: individuals who have had a severe allergic reaction to chicken eggs, a severe reaction to the flu vaccination in the past, those who have developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, and children less than 6 months of age.
There are two types of influenza vaccines that protect against seasonal flu. The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine, containing killed virus that is given with a needle, usually in the arm and is approved for use among people 6 months of age or older. The second type of vaccine is a nasal-spray, contains a weakened live viruses, and is administered by nasal sprayer. The nasal spray vaccine is approved for use only among healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.
According to the CDC, each of the two types of seasonal influenza vaccines contain three influenza viruses, the 2009 H1N1, an H3N2 virus, and an influenza B virus.
Maffett said that a growing concern among people is that the vaccine will become useless if administered too early. According to the CDC, it is not too early to get vaccinated. The vaccination is designed to provide protection through the entire season. However for individuals who take a while to get around to getting the vaccination, the CDC said that the vaccine will still be helpful in administered toward the end of November as the disease usually peaks in January or February.
The vaccination does not begin working immediately. Maffett said that there is a period of about two weeks in which the vaccination will develop full protection.
Maffett said possible side effects of the vaccine can resemble flu-like symptoms. The side effects for the flu shot include: mild fever and muscle aches, and only last a few days; those for the nasal spray include: runny nose, wheezing, muscle aches, vomiting, headache, and fever.
Maffett said that the SEK Multi-County Health Department of Bourbon County has not yet received the vaccine yet, however it is expected to arrive by the end of September. Other locations where the vaccination is administered are Mercy Physician Group, Walgreens, and SEK Urgent Care.
Once the vaccine has arrived, Maffett said she will announce the date and time of the annual drive-through flu shot clinic at the First United Methodist Church.
The SEK Multi-County Health Department of Bourbon County, 221 S. Judson St., accepts walk-in vaccinations on Mondays, or the office can be called between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at (620) 223-4464 to schedule an appointment for a vaccination one of those days. The cost of the vaccination will be $25.
Every year people make the choice of whether or not to get a flu vaccine. Here is what some of our readers said on The Tribune's Facebook page.
Barb Swearingen said, "YES! Took the flu, H1N1, & pneumonia shots last year (for the first time) and never had a cold. Thought that was remarkable after 2 years of streph (sic) throat & pneumonia."
David Foster said, "definitely not wasting money on a flu shot!"
Linda Roesler said, "Definitely, yes! Every year!"
To let your thoughts be heard on this topic, Visit The Tribune's page at www.facebook.com.