Sep. 7--The interest in flu shots appears higher than previous years as medical professionals prepare for the upcoming winter inoculations.
The H1N1 flu vaccine will not be released until the second or third week of October, so there will have to be a lot of those shots issued in a short period of time.
Marcy Cox, director of the flu vaccinations program for the Visiting Nurses Association that serves Illinois and Missouri, said it is imperative that people also receive their regular flu vaccine this year.
"Getting the regular flu vaccine is very important and crucial," she said. "Unfortunately, we are facing the concern of the H1N1 virus. The regular, seasonal flu shot should offer some protection from the H1N1 virus. Even though they will be separate vaccines and illnesses, they are very similar. We just want to make sure that everybody has some sort of protection from the flu."
In regard to the H1N1 flu, Cox said school-age children, pregnant women and individuals 18-40 appear most at risk.
"For some reason, they are saying the H1N1 virus is attacking those who are young," Cox said. "The seasonal vaccine is important for seniors. Both the H1N1 virus and regular flu are respiratory viruses."
The flu vaccines in the Alton region will begin on Sept. 22 in Alton at Elm Street Presbyterian Church.
"We will start our seasonal vaccine campaign about two to three weeks earlier than we generally do," Cox said. "We are now waiting on delivery of the seasonal vaccine to start. We have had some people coming down with the flu in the area."
The Centers For Disease Control made a ruling this past week that those who are seniors and have chronic conditions will be eligible for the H1N1 flu vaccination from the beginning.
"For some individuals with chronic conditions, the flu can cause them to have to be hospitalized," Cox said. "The media is doing a very good job of letting people know where the outbreaks of flu are, but are not educating enough if someone does have a chronic condition that they should seriously think about being vaccinated."
Cox said the VNA phones are ringing off the hook with inquiries about flu vaccinations.
"People are very much concerned," she said. "I do feel for them."
Flu vaccinations will be done from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday starting Sept. 22 in Alton at Elm Street Presbyterian Church. The VNA also has several other area locations set for flu vaccinations. When the H1N1 vaccine comes out, residents can contact the VNA at (866) 948-8388 for more information.
dan_brannan@thetelegraph.com
Flu shot sites
ALTON
Elm Street Presbyterian Church , 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 22, 101 West Elm St.
St.Clair Villa, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Oct. 8, 915 E. 5th St.
Marian Heights, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Oct. 8, 20 Marian Heights Drive
Hayner Library, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 10, 401 State St.
Knights of Columbus, 8 a.m. to noon, Oct. 12, 405 East Fourth St.
JBL, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 16, 2858 Homer Adams Parkway
Marcel Rope and Rigging, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Oct. 16, 1862 E. Broadway
Senior Services Plus, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Oct. 16, 2603 N. Rogers
SS. Peter and Paul, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Oct. 22, 717 State St.
SS. Peter and Paul, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Oct. 24, 717 State St.
Alton VFW, 11 a.m. to noon, Oct. 30, 4445 Alby St.
Abundant Life Community Church, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 3, 3986 Humbert Road
NOTE: Every Tuesday and Thursday starting Sept. 22, VNA-TIP HealthCare offer flu shots from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Christian Education Building of the Elm Street Presbyterian Church in Alton.
BETHALTO
Medicine Shoppe, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 5 341 W. Bethalto Drive
First Baptist Church of Bethalto, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Oct. 7, 201 South Moreland Road Rinderers Pharmacy, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 9, 68 N. Bellwood Drive
Rinderers Pharmacy, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 10, 68 N. Bellwood Drive
Bethel General Baptist Church, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 15, 820 South Prairie
Our Lady Queen of Peace, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Oct. 20, 132 Butcher St.
Rinderers Pharmacy, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 21, 68 N. Bellwood Drive
Bethalto Church of God, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Oct. 22, 800 E. Bethalto Drive
First National Bank, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Oct. 23, 704 Texas Blvd.
Olin Credit Union, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 23, 731 E. Bethalto Drive
Bethalto Senior Center, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Oct. 29, 100 E.Central St.
Rinderers Pharmacy, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 6, 68 N. Bellwood Drive
Rinderers Pharmacy, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 7, 68 N. Bellwood Drive
BRIGHTON
Brighton Meadows Apartments, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Oct. 8, 1101 Rogers Court
Tom's Foods, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 3, 315 W. Center
Brighton Pharmacy, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 16, 108 Ransom
Brighton Pharmacy, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 7, 108 Ransom
BUNKER HILL
Bunker Hill Apartments, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 8, 701 Putman
City Of Bunker Hill, 9 a.m. to noon, Oct. 15, 801 S. Franklin St.
DK'S Market, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Oct. 21, 225 W. State St.
DK'S Market, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 4, 225 W. State St.
Bunker Hill City Hall, 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 19, 801 S. Franklin St.
CARLINVILLE
Senior Citizens Building, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 26, 213 N. East St.
EAST ALTON
Olin Credit Union, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 27, 419 N. Shamrock
EDWARDSVILLE
Immanuel United Methodist Church, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Oct. 4, 800 N. Main St.
YMCA-Meyer Center, 9 a.m. to noon, Oct. 5, 7348 Goshen Road
Reliance Bank, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Oct. 8, 1254 University Drive, Suite 100
GODFREY
Reliance Bank, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Oct. 2, 2810 Godfrey Road
Olin Credit Union, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 20, 5301 Godfrey Road
Liberty Bank, noon to 1:30 p.m., Oct. 22, 3112 Godfrey Road
The Fountains, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 28, 1000 Airport Road Godfrey
Village of Godfrey, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Oct. 30, 6810 Godfrey Road Godfrey
JERSEYVILLE
Jersey County Festival, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 3, 601 N. State
Olin Credit Union, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 16, 300 West County Road
SHIPMAN
Shipman Apartments, noon to 1 p.m., Oct. 8, 111 Rita Ave.
WOOD RIVER
Shell Credit Union, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Oct. 13, 101 Lakin Road
EDITOR'S NOTE: Because of space considerations, The Telegraph can only publish a partial list of sites. For more information on where to get flu shots, call (866) 948-8388 or go to www.vnatip.com.
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