While the once wildly feared swine flu is now only a blip on the nation’s influenza map, area residents are still being afforded a chance to safeguard themselves this fall from both H1N1 and the traditional seasonal flu with an all-in-one shot.
The influenza vaccine is expected to be available across the region shortly. In fact, the Cumberland Plateau Health District of Southwest Virginia, which serves Tazewell, Buchanan and Russell counties, could begin public flu shots as early as this week.
The health district has already received the flu mist and officials expect to receive the injectable vaccine this week as well, according to health district director Dr. John Dreyzehner. As soon as the non-mist vaccine arrives, the health district will be opening its clinics for appointments and walk-ins.
According to Dreyzehner, approximately 160 million doses of the flu vaccine are expected to be made available this flu season.
The Centers for Disease Control is recommending everyone be vaccinated. However, health officials are still encouraging certain high-risk groups, including people with children younger than age 5 — and especially those with children who are younger than 2 — women who are pregnant, senior citizens and those with chronic diseases, to be vaccinated first.
Residents of West Virginia should have access to the flu vaccine by Sept. 14, according to Judy Bolton, a public health nurse with the Mercer County Health Department.
Bolton said this year’s vaccine will include a strain of the H1N1 vaccine as well as other types of seasonal flu that were prominent last season. As a result, residents won’t need a second shot for the H1N1 as they did last year.
Health officials are reporting only minimal influenza activity in the region at the moment. But, influenza activity could certainly pick up as we head into fall and winter — the traditional peak periods for influenza activity.
As a result, everyone should once again consider getting a flu shot this year, particularly those who are in the traditional high-risk categories. By getting a flu shot, you are protecting not only yourself, but your loved ones as well.
The vaccine will be available shortly. It’s certainly not too early to start think about getting a flu shot.
Editorials
September 7, 2010
Seasonal protection: All-in-one flu shots arriving
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