FIGHTING FLU -- Laura Rine gets the H1N1 flu vaccine from Ron Barger at the Spring Valley School Wednesday afternoon as her mother, Sheila, an employee of the Langlade County Health Department, offers a careful eye. The number of vaccines available to this area is increasing slowly with the number of clinics being expanded.
|
H1N1 flu vaccine arrives in area, more taking advantage of the shots Nov. 19, 2009 Slowly, but steadily, Langlade County residents are being protected against the swine flu.
As the second wave of the expected three-tier pandemic appears to be winding down, the number of vaccines the county has received has been increasing, and more and more clinics for targeted populations have been held.
According to Melissa Dotter, preparedness specialist with the Langlade County Health Department, the county has received about 2,500 doses of the H1N1 vaccine to date, with more expected. Those doses are being shared amidst the health department and other providers.
“We feel pretty confident that the people who want the vaccine will get it,” Dotter said. “We’re optimistic that we’re going to be able to give the vaccine to the general public before Christmas.”
With vaccines arriving more slowly than hoped, the health department first targeted high-risk groups such as health care providers, caregivers and the very young.
The clinics have since branched into the elementary classrooms throughout the area school systems. Adults with chronic health conditions are also beginning to receive the vaccines. Those conditions include such things as pregnancy, cancer, blood disorders, chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, kidney or liver disorders, neurological or neuromuscular problems and weakened immune systems.
The healthy adult and senior citizen population will come next, within a few weeks, Dotter said.
Within the schools, Dotter said parents of about one-third to one-half of the student population have consented to have their children vaccinated. Some of that group may have already received their immunization from their doctor, but certain groups remain leery.
That concerns the health department’s director, Holly Matucheski.
“We’re seeing children getting very ill, very quickly,” she said, strongly encouraging all parents to have their children vaccinated.
“Vaccines are the best prevention we can offer,” Dotter added.
Matucheski said that a pandemic such as the swine flu typically runs in three waves. The first happened last spring with the second in progress. The third wave will come in early and mid-2010, she said, with plenty of time remaining for people to receive vaccinations.
“Once we have enough vaccine, we hope everyone will get it,” Matucheski said. “We’re trying to get out to the public as quickly as we can.”
The vaccine is offered free at the health department and its clinics to the targeted populations. It is also available through various medical providers, although administrative costs may be added.
Those seeking the most up-to-date information on the flu in Wisconsin may go to flu.wi.gov.
State health officials reported that there were 11 additional swine flu deaths in Wisconsin in the past week.
Those deaths happened in Dane, Jefferson, Kenosha, Marathon, Oconto, Ozaukee, Portage, Racine and Waupaca counties.
Statewide, 31 people have died of H1N1-related illnesses since spring with confirmed cases of the illness in 71 out of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.
About 695,000 doses of swine flu vaccines have been sent to Wisconsin as of Nov. 11, both in nasal and injectable forms.
|
|
|
