Sep. 6--Seasonal flu is on the way, and local medical officials are urging individuals to be vaccinated.
Though H1N1 (swine flu) has been attracting a lot of headlines worldwide, seasonal flu accounts for an estimated 36,000 deaths in the United States each year.
"Do not forget seasonal flu just because H1N1 is getting all of the attention and publicity," Caldwell County Health Department Medical Director Dr. Mark Picton said.
To respond to seasonal influenza, along with the H1N1 vaccine that will be released at a later date, the health department is offering its seasonal influenza drive-by clinic earlier this year on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The vaccines will be administered from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Caldwell County Health Department, located at 2345 Morganton Boulevard, Lenoir, and Granite Falls Elementary, 60 N. Highland Ave., Granite Falls. For those coming to the Caldwell County Health Department, the entrance for the seasonal flu drive-by will be located off Morganton Boulevard at New River Behavioral Healthcare location, and cars will leave at the Human Services Building exit.
The cost of the vaccine is $20, and most insurance plans are accepted. Patients should bring their insurance cards, and payment by cash or check should be made at the time of service.
The Caldwell County Health Department has established an information line for seasonal influenza and H1N1 at 426-8456.
In order to further assist individuals, Picton and Caldwell County Health Department Communicable Disease Nurse Judy Dilling provided responses to the following questions:
Do I need to get both the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccinations?
Dilling: Yes, some people will need to get both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines; others will be getting only the seasonal flu vaccine or the swine flu vaccine, depending on their level of risk. The seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 are formulated from different viruses. Both the seasonal influenza virus and the H1N1 influenza virus are currently circulating.
Who should get the seasonal flu vaccine?
Dilling: Everyone!
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that the following populations who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications, and anyone who wants to decrease their risk of becoming ill with the seasonal flu:
--Children aged 6 months through 19.
--Pregnant women.
--People 50 years of age and older.
--People with certain chronic medical conditions.
--People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
--People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu including:
--Health care workers
--Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
--Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Who should get the H1N1 vaccine?
Dilling: Below are the current high-risk groups identified by the CDC who should receive the H1N1 flu vaccine when it is first available, but are subject to change:
--Pregnant women
--People who live with, or care, for children younger than 6 months old
--Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
--Persons between 6 months and 24 years old
--Persons between 25 and 64 years of age who are at higher risk for the H1N1 influenza due to chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes, chronic lung disorders, etc) or they have compromised immune systems.
As the H1N1 vaccine supply and demand for vaccine among the above high-risk groups is being met, the CDC will provide more guidance on offering the vaccine to people who were not included in the these groups and those 65 and older.
What type of vaccine is available?
Dilling: Currently, the only vaccine that will soon be available at Caldwell County Health Department is the seasonal flu vaccine.
Is there enough vaccine for everyone?
Dilling: There should be enough seasonal flu vaccine for anyone who wants it.
What's the difference between seasonal flu and the H1N1?
Dr. Picton: Seasonal flu constitutes the group of influenza viruses that normally circulate in the human population. The three (3) most common circulating influenza viruses are: Influenza A H1N1, Influenza A H3N2 and Influenza B. Many people have immunity or at least limited immunity to these viruses. These viruses have been circulating in the human population with only minor genetic changes from year to year. The seasonal flu vaccine boosts the immunity each year to these viruses.
Novel H1N1 is a totally new Influenza A virus. This "flu strain" contains genetic material from 4 different sources: Two (2) swine strains, one (1) avian strain and one (1) human strain of flu.
Because the Novel H1N1 virus has never been transmitted in humans, no one has immunity to this virus. This is why it is called a "Novel" virus. Many more people are expected to become ill from this virus.
Why are we receiving the seasonal flu vaccine so early this year?
Dr. Picton: The past several years' problems with production have delayed and limited the amount of seasonal flu vaccine. This year there were no production delays and vaccine delivery occurred much sooner.
Caldwell County Health Department will receive its allocation of seasonal flu vaccine in staggered shipments.
The H1N1 vaccine is currently being tested, and CDC anticipates it will be available in October. Priority will be given to the following high risk groups:
--Pregnant women
--Household contacts of infants under six (6) months
--Healthcare and emergency medical service workers
--Young people between 6 months and 24 years of age
--Non-elderly adults with underlying risk conditions such as diabetes and chronic lung disease.
News-Topic Local News Editor Paul Teague contributed to this report.
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