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Thursday, 08 October 2009 |
By DANIELLE COLLINS
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As the cases of flu increase, the need for vaccinations does as well.
The Texas County Health Center will be offering a flu clinic in Guymon on Wednesday, October 14 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
"We are extending our hours this year, " said Lynette Terry, District Nurse Manager. "We are starting before 8 and going past 5 so that we can catch people who work. We are staffing with extra staff from our other distircts to help make sure we can get everyone immunized."
According to Terry, parents in Texas County are very good about getting their children immunized and since the flu clinic will be offered during fall break, it will be a perfect opportunity for parents to get their children immunized without missing school.
The seasonal flu shot can be given to children as young as 6 months. The younger the child is, the higher the risk for being infected with the flu. One of the reasons for this is because most children are not good at washing their hands.
Health officials for the the state of Oklahoma have released a statement saying that schoolchildren will be the major target of the first shipment of swine flu vaccines.
Vaccinations for the swine flu may be given at the clinic next week, but it depends on whether the state sends the shipment in time.
"We are like everyone else in the state," said Terry. "We are waiting for our supplies and shipments."
According to Terry, if the shipment does not come in by next week, another clinic will be offered in November. At that time the H1N1 shots will be given.
"This initally may be the only time that the flu vaccine is available," Terry said. "We are putting extra people over there and it may not be available for a few more weeks in our clinics."
It is important to for people get both vaccines. Terry advises that people get both vaccines and to not think that one is more important than the other.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 12 October 2009 )
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