You are here
Time for a shot in the arm
Mon, 2004-11-01 00:00
Ken Johnston
It is a real shot in the arm!
Last week the Northwestern Health Unit held its annual flu shot clinics in Rainy River at the local high school. On the first day 154 people received the immunization and 77 on the second day. That is about a 21% increase over last year when 191 people attended the clinics.
Health nurse Gaylene Jasper said that she attributes the rise in numbers partially to the publicity generated by the shortage of vaccines in the United States and also to the fact that the public is becoming more aware of the benefits of the vaccine.
This year the vaccine has been designed to combat the New Caledonia, Wyoming and Jiangsu flu strains. It is created based upon what health officials see happen during the flu season elsewhere in the world prior to the season here, which runs from October to March. Last year the targeted strains missed the “Fujian “ type and in some cases people were not as protected as they could have been. However, this year the Wyoming strain is a Fujian type.
More people may also be taking the vaccination as they learn that one can not get sick from the vaccination. “It is made from a killed virus,” said Jasper. In other words there is no live virus in the shot. However, since it can take up to a week for exposure to the flu virus to take effect, a person who has been infected prior to getting the shot may get it and blame the shot.
In addition to the shot in the arm, people should also be vigilant with other preventative measures. “Wash your hands often,” said Jasper. “The virus can live up to 48 hours on inanimate objects,” she added. Also sneezing into one’s hands and not washing them can spread the virus when touching other objects or shaking hands with other people.
Other things people can do are also common sense measures like eating healthy and getting enough sleep.
While some people swear that the shot has given them the flu in the past, health officials say that is impossible. There are some side effects that can happen with the shot. While most do not get any, some do experience a fever or muscle aches that start shortly after receiving it. They usually only last a day or two.
People who are allergic to eggs should not get the shot as it is made using chicken eggs. Other reasons not to get it include, an allergy to Thimerosal (a preservative used in contact lens solutions and the flu vaccine); and children under the age of six months.
People who absolutely should have the vaccine include senior citizens, anyone with chronic heart or lung disease, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, a blood disorder or a weakened immune system.
In addition to the two clinics in Rainy River last week, the Rainy River Clinic has been doing the flu shot as well since October 18th. Nurse Practioner Nicole Therrien said they have given almost 400 flu shots since then and they expect they will go over last year’s numbers. “I don’t expect to have any extra this year.” People can make an appointment by calling 852-3222.
The health unit will be fanning out across the region in the next few weeks to conduct clinics in Bergland (Nov. 2), Barwick (Nov. 3, 23, 30), Emo (Nov. 9), Nestor Falls (Nov. 15), Stratton (Nov. 16) and Devlin (Nov. 22). See the ad in this paper for times and locations. In Emo people should call their local health unit to make an appointment.
After spree of public clinics, people can call their local health unit to make an appointment to receive the flu shot. Since the shot is publically funded, local health officials can not administer it to U.S. residents at this time. Therrien said the clinic has received calls from Americans both far and near.