POLK County Providing Free Flu Shots on Friday October 30th 2009 Flu is a serious illness and it’s time for Arkansans to get their flu shots. On Friday October 30th, 2009, the Polk County Health Unit is providing seasonal flu shots (and H1N1 vaccine IF AVAILABLE) at Polk County Fairgrounds from 7:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The Polk County Health Unit is part of 94 health units statewide that are participating in one-day mass flu vaccination clinics October 29, 30 and 31, 2009. A Mass Flu Clinic is a day-long event during which the community comes together to immunize as many people as possible. ADH staff, health professionals and volunteers work as a team to provide vaccine. Some clinics offer “drive-thrus” – you don’t even leave your car. At our mass flu clinics this year, we will also be giving H1N1 vaccine as supplies become available. Dr. Mesko, Polk County Health Officer, said, “The time to get your flu shot is now. We have H1N1 flu in every county. Most people get sick for a few days and recover, but some suffer severe complications and even die. It’s important for Polk County citizens to get their flu shot to protect them from seasonal and H1N1 flu this year. And you need to get both shots. Please bring your Medicaid, Medicare and/or insurance card, and we will file your paperwork for you. There will be no charge to those that do not have coverage and are unable to pay.” Flu shots are not mandatory, but they are highly recommended. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) recommend that all children aged 6 months and older receive a seasonal flu shot every year. Seasonal flu causes children to miss school and their parents to miss work. The seasonal flu shot will not protect against the novel H1N1 influenza A (Swine Flu) virus. The H1N1 flu vaccine is a separate vaccine. The ADH is working to make sure the high priority groups that are most at risk for complications for H1N1 flu receive the H1N1 vaccine first. Pregnant women and children ages 6 months to 24 years are two of the priority groups. As Arkansas gets more H1N1 vaccine, those doses will be given to other priority groups, too. The priority groups are pregnant women, health care workers and emergency medical responders, people caring for infants under 6 months of age, and people ages 25-64 years with underlying health conditions (like asthma, diabetes). Pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions cannot receive the nasal flu mist. Flu is a sickness that infects the nose, throat and lungs and is caused by the influenza virus. If you’re young and healthy, the flu vaccine may be 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing illness. Children less than 9 years who have never received a seasonal flu shot before will need a second seasonal flu shot for full protection. Children less than 10 years will also need to receive a second H1N1 shot. Parents will need to contact a local ADH health unit or health care provider, see if vaccine is available and take their children in for a second shot 4 weeks after the first shot. Parents should not be concerned about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine. All flu vaccines are made the same way. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine simply contains a different strain of influenza virus and is made exactly like all previous seasonal influenza vaccines. Reactions to all flu vaccines might include a mild soreness and redness near the site of the shot and perhaps a little fever or slight headache. The flu shot cannot give you the flu. Arkansas will eventually have enough H1N1 vaccine to provide it to whomever wants vaccine. Persons who should not receive influenza vaccine for health reasons are: persons with a severe allergy (i.e. anaphylactic allergic reaction) to hens’ eggs and persons who previously had onset of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Influenza symptoms include fever over 100 degrees, headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches, dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, and occasionally stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. The influenza virus is spread through coughing or sneezing and by touching a hard surface with the virus on it and then touching the nose or mouth. The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each year. For more information go to www.healthyarkansas.com or www.flu.gov .
Free Flu Shots on Friday October 30th
my picture of athletic health son is in pulaski co yesterday am had scratchy throat by pm all over body aches and temp of 104 first dose of tamiflu ($97 + tax ) yest 6pm no break in fever yet by second dose this am
A 10-year-old Benton girl who tested positive for swine flu has died. Gracie Nail was a 4th grader at Ringgold elementary school. Her mom is teacher there. Her dad is the Benton high basketball coach.
A pre-existing medical condition may have contributed to the little girl's death.
"It's difficult to even know how to support someone who is going through something of this nature," Superintendent Tony Protho said. But Prothro and the rest of the Benton public school family is doing all they can to comfort coach Chris Nail and his family after the loss of his ten year old daughter Olivia "Gracie" Nail. She died Wednesday night at Children's Hospital
"Miss Nail presented to their emergency room on the 20th with other circumstances other medical circumstances that were involved. She subsequently after admittance tested positive for H1N1," Coroner Garland County said.
“It is important to understand this tragedy there had been a pre-existing conditions where the child has been in critical care on numerous occasions," Prothro said.
A very serious condition Prothro says also caused the death of Gracie's younger sister years ago. Right now the coroner can't be sure if swine flu ultimately caused Gracie's death until the autopsy is complete. But pre-condition or not the swine flu can be deadly.
So parents should watch for these symptoms:
* A fever over 100
* Body aches
* Headache
* Upper respiratory problems
* Vomiting and diarrhea.
If your child experiences these symptoms consult your doctor.
The Benton school district is being vigilant as well. "We're taking every precaution we possibly can here at the school," Prothro said.
Like the Little Rock school district, Benton has a flu clinic scheduled where they plan to give seasonal flu vaccine and the swine vaccine to students with parent’s permission. That flu clinic is set for October 27th and 28th.