Battling the flu bug: Hundreds of residents get vaccine at MCHD

By GREG JORDAN

GREEN VALLEY — Hundreds of residents started their annual battle against the bug Wednesday by getting a flu shot.

The Mercer County Health Department’s staff and student volunteers stayed busy helping visitors fill out forms while others stood ready to administer shots that help fight off influenza.

“We’re doing about 100 an hour, and the average time here has been 5 minutes from the time they get here to the time they leave,” said Melody Rickman, RN. As of 12:30 p.m., the health department had seen 400 vaccinations.

Visitors arriving for flu shots were helped by nursing students from the Mercer County Technical Education Center. By helping people fill out forms and by administering the vaccinations, the students learned valuable lessons that will help them later in their careers.

“You learn that you have to take constructive criticism well and you have to be able to listen to people,” said student practical nurse Alexa Hutchinson. “And everybody has something different to tell about themselves, and for nursing you have to be a people person.”

The student nurses offered some lessons to help patients get past misconceptions about influenza vaccinations.

“People ask if it’s too early in the season to get it,” Hutchinson said. “This lasts the whole flu season.”

“And it doesn’t make you sick,” said student nurse Amanda Bradley.

“You don’t get the flu for the flu shot,” Hutchinson added.

Seniors who came to the health department for their vaccinations said getting one is an annual precaution. James Richmond, 79, of Princeton said he gets a flu shot each year; so far, the practice has helped keep him from catching the disease.

“Well, I didn’t have but one cold last year,” he said.

Vaccinations will be offered at the Mercer County Health Department from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting today. The shots will be available until Oct. 31. PEIA, UMWA, Medicare and Medicaid insurance can be billed. The cash price is $25.

Health departments in both West Virginia and Virginia are also offering vaccinations. The Bland County Health Department can be reached at (276) 688-3642. In Tazewell County, the health department may be contacted at (276) 988-5585, and Buchanan County’s health department is at (276) 935-4591.