If you have ever had the flu, you know it can knock you out – with members of your family, friends and co-workers not far behind. The week of January 10-16 is National Influenza Vaccination Week and officials at the Payne County Health Department want you to know it’s not too late to protect yourself from seasonal and H1N1 influenza.
A limited amount of adult seasonal flu vaccine and an ample supply of child seasonal flu vaccine are available at the Payne County Health Departments in Stillwater and Cushing. Ample supplies of H1N1 flu vaccine for all age groups are also available at both locations.
Since another spike in H1N1 disease may be on the horizon, health officials encourage those who have not yet received their vaccination to do so at their earliest convenience. While adults only need one dose of seasonal flu vaccine and 2009 H1N1 vaccine, children 9 years of age and younger will need two doses of the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine to be fully protected. Children 2 years up to 8 years of age will need two doses of seasonal vaccine as well if they have never received the seasonal flu vaccine before.
“We are fortunate that flu activity has declined in recent weeks,” said Annette O’Connor, Payne County Health Department Administrative Director. “This allows a window of opportunity for our citizens who have not yet been vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones from disease.”
You can get vaccinated with either a flu shot (for people six months and older) or a nasal spray vaccine (for healthy people 2 years through 49 years of age who are not pregnant). The nasal spray vaccine, available for 2009 H1N1 influenza, is a good option for those who may have a fear of needles. Flu vaccines are very safe and closely monitored for any potential side effects.
“People who do not get vaccinated are taking two risks: they are placing themselves at risk for the flu, including a potentially long and serious illness, and second, if they get sick, they are also placing their close contacts at risk for influenza,” says Dr. Anne Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service and CDC’s Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “Flu can be especially serious for babies, young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic medical conditions, and seniors, who are at high risk of flu‐related complications or death. Influenza—whether seasonal or 2009 H1N1—is not a disease to be taken lightly.”
Influenza immunizations are available on a walk-in basis during regular clinic hours at Payne County’s Stillwater location, Monday through Friday 8:00-11:00 a.m. and Monday through Thursday 1:00-4:00 p.m. Cushing offers walk-in immunizations on Monday through Wednesday and Friday, 8:00-11:00 a.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m.
“In addition to our health departments, numerous private health providers now have a stock of H1N1 vaccine and can provide immunizations,” O’Connor said. “We encourage patients to check with their physicians to see if they are offering the vaccine.”
Payne County Health Department-Stillwater is located at 1321 W. 7th; Cushing’s new location is 1026 N. Linwood. For more information, call 405/372-8200 or 918/225-3377
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