Health Department hands out nearly 1,500 flu vaccines

As of last week, the McDowell County Health Department has administered nearly 200 H1N1 nasal flu mists, more than 475 H1N1 injections and almost 750 seasonal flu vaccines.
The immunizations for H1N1 have been given to pregnant women, children, young adults under 24 years of age, health care workers and people who care for or live with infants younger than 6 months of age. Healthy people ages 25 through 49 years of age are being offered the H1N1 flu mist now. People ages 25 through 64 years of age with chronic health conditions are being offered the H1N1 injections. Limited shipments of vaccines are received weekly. There are physician's offices and pharmacies in the county that have received limited supply of vaccines also, according to a news release from the Health Department.
Influenza vaccines are important in preventing people from getting the flu virus, but there are other methods also to help prevent the spread of influenza to others. Some of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of flu are as follows:
· Wash your hands often, especially after you cough or sneeze.
· If you don't have access to soap and water, alcohol-based cleaners are also effective.
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· If you do not have a tissue, then cough into your sleeve and not your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
· Avoid being around people who are sick when possible.
· If you are sick, stay home and limit contact with others to keep from making others sick.
· Practice good health habits. Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods and be physically active.
The H1N1 flu mist is available at the Health Department for anyone who is healthy and 2 through 24 years of age. It is also available for healthy people ages 25 through 49 who either live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age or are health care workers or emergency medical personnel.
The H1N1 flu mist is a live vaccine, which is sprayed into the nose. It does not contain any preservatives or thimerosal. It is a weakened virus, so it will not cause illness. Pregnant women and people with long-term health problems or children with asthma cannot take the H1N1 nasal flu mist. Healthy people in the above listed groups are encouraged to take the H1N1 nasal flu mist.
H1N1 injections are available at the department for the following people:
· Pregnant women
· Household contacts and caregivers for infants under 6 months of age
· Healthcare workers and emergency medical personnel
· People ages 6 months through 24 years of age
· People ages 25 through 64 years of age with chronic health problems

You should not take the nasal flu mist or influenza vaccine injections if you are allergic to eggs, have had Guillain Barre Syndrome or reactions to flu vaccines in the past. If you are moderately or severely ill, you may need to wait until you recover before getting the vaccine.
These vaccines are given at the Health Department at 408 Spaulding Road in Marion, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
The Health Department also has seasonal flu vaccines available for children ages 6 months to 18 years of age. No adult seasonal flu vaccines are available at this time at the Health Department.
Many of the seasonal flu vaccines were provided by the N.C. Immunization Branch to be given to students and teachers. Flu clinics were provided by Health Department staff and school nurses to students in the seventh, eighth and ninth grades. Other clinics were held at schools.
Seasonal flu vaccines for children are available at the McDowell County Health Department Please bring the child's immunization record, Social Security number, insurance card and/or Medicaid card.