Small Town News

Flu vaccine now available

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2010 shot to cover seasonal flu and H1N1

Initial shipments of flu vaccine have started arriving at Monroe County Health Department. Although current supplies are somewhat limited, additional shipments are expected regularly and health officials expect to have adequate supplies throughout the flu season.

The fee for the vaccine is $25. The health department will bill Medicare or State health benefits plan for those who are eligible.

Everybody is encouraged to be vaccinated, but particularly:

People 50 years old or older

Children six months to six years old

Adults and children with chronic health conditions

Women who will be at any stage of pregnancy during flu season

People who can give the flu to those at high risk (i.e. caregivers)

Healthcare workers

Anyone who wants to prevent getting the flu

This year's vaccine will include protection against H1N1, as well as two other flu viruses that are currently circulating.

"Even if you had the H1N1 vaccine recently, we still encourage you to get this year's seasonal vaccine because of the protection you will receive for the additional two flu strains, "said Dr. David Harvey, District Health Director for the North Central Health District, said,

Flu vaccine available undo i he "Vaccines for Children" program ate not expected to be available uui 11 the middle of September. The "Vaccines for Children" program offers flu vaccines to children up to their 18t li birthday who have Medicaid, Peachcare, have nn insurance or who are under insured.

Shingles vaccine also available

Adults 60 years <>r older are encouraged to also get the shingles vaccine. A limited supply is now available at the Monroe County Health Department. The vaccine cost is $14.80.

Shingles is a painful skin rash, often with blisters. A shingles rash usually appears on one side of the face or body and lasts from 2 to 4 weeks. The main symptom is pain, whicl i can be quite severe. Other symptoms of shingles can i nclude fever, headache chills and upset stomach. Very rarely, a shingles infection can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation (encephalitis) or death

Shingles is far more common in people 50 years of age and older than in younger people. It is also more common in people whose immune systems are weakened because of n disease such as cancer, or di ugs such as steroids or chemotherapy. At least one million people a year in the U nited States get shingles.

Free TDAP vaccines

Through funding by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Monroe county Health Department is also able to offer a free dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (TDAP) vaccine to all aged 10 to 64 regardless of insurance coverage. Many people may be particularly interested in this vaccine after recent outbreaks of pertussis reported

throughout tho country.

The funding also provides for six other vaccines for adults 19 and over at no cost regardless of insurance coverage including Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMRj. Varicella (chickenpox), Pneumococcal (pneumonia), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines are also available for those that meet certain criteria.

Adolescents that do not have insurance that covers vaccines will be able to receive free doses of TDAP, HPV, Meningococcal, and Varicella (chicken pox) vaccines with no out-of-pocket cost.

All of the available vaccines help protect against potentially dangerous and in some cases, life-threatening, diseases

Money for the vaccines is being made available to health departments around the country through ARRA funds in an effort to help improve the immunization rates among teens and adults.

The Monroe County Health Department is open for vaccines Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:45 p.m. and Friday by appointment.

Call 992-5083 for more information.



Copyright 2010 The Monroe County Reporter, Forsyth, Georgia. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 The Monroe County Reporter Forsyth, Georgia. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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