Sept. 06--TAZEWELL, Va. -- Residents in both Virginias will have access to seasonal flu shots within the next few weeks with more flu shots being produced this year than ever before.
Dr. John Dreyzehner, director of the Cumberland Plateau Health District, said residents of Tazewell and Buchannan counties may have access to flu shots as early as next week.
"We have gotten several of our shipments in, but we don't expect to open up to the public until next week," Dreyzehner said. "We have the flu mist in and we expect to receive the injectable vaccine between now and Tuesday. When they are available, we will let everyone know. We will be opening the clinics for appointments and walk-ins at that time."
According to Dreyzehner, 160 million doses of the flu vaccine had been made available nationwide for this flu season.
"This year, more flu vaccines are expected to be made and used than ever before," he said. "There should be plenty of vaccines for anyone that wants one. The CDC is recommending everyone to be vaccinated. We hope that everyone takes advantage of the availability. I applaud the CDC advisory committee for opening flu shots up to everyone."
Though flu vaccines will be available for everyone six months and older, Dreyzehner said certain high risk groups should prioritize getting their vaccine. These high risk groups include people with children younger than five and especially with children younger than two, women who are pregnant, the obese, senior citizens, and those with chronic diseases.
Dreyzehner said the Cumberland Plateau Health District is working with local schools for the fourth year in the row to make sure students and faculty are vaccinated. Dreyzehner said the health department has partnered with all of the public K-12 schools in the region as well some private schools, colleges, universities, and technical schools.
"We hope to begin administering the vaccine there around October 1, but that depends on when we receive enough of the expected vaccine," he said. "There are studies clearly demonstrating that vaccinating school children decreases the flu in the community. The evidence is quite compelling."
So far, Dreyzehner said there are no major flu outbreaks in the region.
"Right now, the activity across Virginia is undetectable," he said. We have heard of sporadic cases in the community. There's always a few cases here and there at various times of the year, but nothing to worry about."
Dreyzehner said the protection the vaccine offers is one of the reasons local residents should be vaccinated.
"When people get flu vaccines, they think they're protecting themselves, which they are, but they are also protecting the people around them," Dreyzehner said. "When you get the flu vaccine, you're protecting yourself and the people you love."
Judy Bolton, a public health nurse with the Mercer County Health Department, said West Virginia residents will have access to flu vaccines on September 14. The shots will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day after September 14, except on weekends. The shots will be $20 a piece.
"They just need to come by," Bolton said. "It's $20 a shot and we do bill all major insurances. The recommendation is for everyone to get one. There are plenty of vaccines. They recommend for everyone six months and older to get one. Children under the age of 8 may need two doses, based on their medical history."
Bolton said this year's vaccine will include a strain of the H1N1 vaccine as well as other types of flu that were prominent last flu season.
"The H1N1 strain of the flu circulation last year is in this dosage, so you won't need an extra shot for that," she said. "Every year, the vaccine is made with the flus that circulated last year. Each year, the vaccines is altered due to different strains of the flu, which is why you should get one every year."
According to Bolton, there has been no abnormal flu activity in Mercer County.
"There has been a little activity nationally," she said. "We always have a small amount of flu like illness over the summer, but it's no more than the normal average for the summertime. There have only been flu like symptoms, nothing out of the ordinary."
Bolton encouraged everyone to come out and be vaccinated.
"We have plenty of doses and there are more to come," she said. "There's no shortage."
-- Contact Kate Coil at kcoil@bdtonline.com
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