Health dept. plans H1N1 vaccine clinics Oct. 23, 24; School-aged children can get shots at school

Memorial Hospital nurse Kathy Kirby, RN, (left) receives shot of flu vaccine from infection control director, Vickie Roberts, RN. Because they are at increased risk of contracting the flu, Memorial Hospital medical personnel were among the first members of the Hancock County community to receive the vaccine.

The Hancock County Health Department has received shipments of the H1N1 vaccine in nasal form as well as shot form. Two clinics are planned at the health department.

Both the H1N1 nasal spray and the arm injection vaccinations will be given Friday, Oct. 23, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Hancock County Health Department is collaborating with the Regional Office of Education and the public schools in Hancock County to plan mass vaccination clinics at the schools. Therefore, children kindergarten through 12th grade are encouraged to receive their vaccination at school rather than the community clinics.

Senior citizens over age 65 are not on the priority list for H1N1 vaccine because a similar flu was present in the 1970s and people who were exposed at that time can have antibodies built up against the flu.

The health department is recommending that the following people receive the H1N1 vaccine in the form of nasal spray: healthy people who are between the ages of 5-24, and healthy people who are between 25-49 years of age and live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age. People who do not tolerate nasal spray may prefer to get an injection.

Groups recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine in the form of the shot include pregnant women, people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency personnel, anyone 6 months through 24 years of age, and anyone 25 through 64 with certain chronic medical conditions.

Chronic medical conditions include diabetes, asthma, COPD, Heart, Lung, Kidney or Liver Disease, and those with a compromised immune system. Pregnant women wanting to receive the H1N1 shot will be required to have a doctor's order with them at the clinic.

There will be no charge for the H1N1 vaccination nasal spray or shot. Individuals may be turned away at a mass vaccination clinic if they do not fall into the Center for Disease Control's recommended groups to receive the H1N1 vaccination. Anyone receiving the nasal spray or shot will be required to wait 15 minutes before exiting the clinic.

MH staff gets vaccine for H1N1 flu

Memorial Hospital medical personnel began receiving H1N1 flu vaccinations on Monday, Oct. 19. The vaccines were made available by the Hancock County Health Department, which chose to share a portion of their shipment of vaccine with the hospital.

“We are very grateful for the Hancock County Health Department's generosity,” said Memorial Hospital infection control director, Vickie Roberts. “By receiving these vaccinations, our most vulnerable employees will be protected from the flu.”

Established patients of Midwest Family Medical Care in Carthage, Women & Family Medical Group in Carthage, Bowen Family Practice in Bowen and Memorial Medical Nauvoo Clinic in Nauvoo can call to make appointments to receive their H1N1 vaccination beginning Thursday, Oct. 22. If you are not an established patient you can get a flu shot from the Hancock County Health Department make a regular appointment with one of the clinic providers.