Flu shots offered Saturday
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on October 9, 2015 1:46 PM
The Wayne County Health Department will hold a free flu clinic Saturday, as part of a trial run in the event of a public health emergency.
Officials said 300 shots are available, for ages 3 and older. The clinic will be held at the Mar Mac Fire Station on Old Grantham Road from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Leah Grimmer, preparedness coordinator with the Health Department, said the event will be operated as a drive-through option, although there will be provisions for walk-ins.
The flu clinic is an opportunity to distribute the vaccinations as well as get the community involved. It also allows the department to shore up preparations in case of an actual emergency, which is in line with recommendations from the CDC, or Communicable Disease Center, she said.
"The last one we had (like this) was during Hurricane Floyd," she said. "In the event of an incident, a public health emergency, different sites throughout the county would be set up. We would either dispense medications or give out vaccines.
"We're kind of using Mar Mac as a module to get ready."
The yearly vaccine is offered at other times, but October is considered prime time to receive it, said, Josa Raynor-Vaughn, communicable diseases program manager at the Health Department.
"However, getting vaccinated even later can be protective, as long as flu viruses are circulating," she said. "Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community."
The Health Department's regular flu clinic is also operating on a daily basis, with payment according to insurance and Medicaid rates.
Hours for the clinic are Monday through Thursday, 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. and, starting next week, on Fridays from 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.
The flu is considered a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus that can infect the nose, throat and lungs.
Signs and symptoms include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough and sore throat, runny nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and possibly vomiting and diarrhea.
Typical transmission is through coughing, sneezing or talking. It can also be communicable through touching objects or a surface which has the flu virus on it.
According to the CDC, the flu is unpredictable and its severity can vary widely from one season to the next depending on a variety of things, from the strain of virus, availability of vaccines, how many get vaccinated and how well the vaccine is matched to the virus that is causing illness.
Complications can lead to bacterial pneumonia, ear infection, sinus infections, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions.
The best methods of prevention are to get a flu vaccine and frequent handwashing, officials say.