Health center receives more seasonal flu vaccine

Vaccines for seasonal and H1N1 influenza viruses are now available by appointment through the Pettis County Health Center.

Administrator JoAnn Martin said the center recently received its order of seasonal flu vaccine and started taking appointments. Officials intend to make a major push during a vaccination clinic from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Pettis County Health Center.

“After we assess that we’ll see if we still have vaccine available, and if we do we will schedule more appointments,” Martin said.

Vaccinations cost $25, but people on Medicare or Medicaid can receive the vaccine free of charge if they bring their insurance cards to their appointments.

Martin said while the first round of influenza may have already swept through the region, the seasonal flu typically appears around the start of winter.

“Traditionally, seasonal influenza begins to appear right after the Christmas holidays. It generally starts in late December or early January, peaks in February and is fading by early March,” Martin said.

But this year’s virus may not follow a traditional pattern. Martin said after seasonal flu passes through, the area may experience another round of H1N1 infections.

After providing sufficient H1N1 vaccinations to priority groups identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccine for the novel virus is now available to all residents at no cost through the Pettis County Health Center, Martin said.

Although the CDC reported cases of H1N1 influenza are diminishing, the group anticipates the virus could return in the late spring or early summer of 2010.

“You have to be prepared,” Martin said. “We cannot say for certain what’s going to happen, and vaccination is the best way to prepare.”

Along with getting the vaccination, Martin urged people to continue performing regular preventive measures, including hand-washing and staying home when sick, to avoid contracting or passing the flu.