Staff Report

GALLIPOLIS — Gallia County Health Commissioner Dr. Gerald Vallee has announced that Saturday, Oct. 25 will be the first day that flu vaccine will be available at the health department.

The flu vaccination clinic will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. that day at the Gallia County Service Center at 499 Jackson Pike (Health Department location).

Residents will enter the building through the first door on the east side (left) of the building and proceed down the hall as directed. In anticipation of the large number of residents requesting the vaccine that day, the health department staff and volunteers will be available to assist with traffic flow, registration and vaccination.

As a result, wait time for vaccination should be minimal. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the Oct. 25 clinic because of the increased staffing.

The staff will also be using an electronic card reader for the registration process. This system should accelerate the registration process. All residents are encouraged to bring a driver's license or state issued identification card.

The flu vaccine is recommended for the following persons:

Children between the ages of 6 months and 19 years.

Pregnant women.

People 50 years of age and up.

People of any age with certain chronic medical condition/weakened immune system.

People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

Household contacts of children less than 6 months;* Health care providers and caregivers.

Anyone wishing to avoid getting the flu.

This year's influenza vaccine covers three of the most prevalent influenza viruses: A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1); A/Uruguay/716/2007 (H3N2); and B/Florida/04/2006. The viruses in the flu vaccine are inactivated so you cannot get the flu from the flu shot. Some people may experience some soreness or redness in the arm, a low-grade fever, or some body aches for one to two days after the shot.

The health department will also have a limited number of doses of Flu-Mist nasal spray available. Healthy persons aged 2 years to 50 years may choose the Flu-Mist. The nasal spray is a live virus vaccine. Side effects of the vaccine in children may include runny nose, headache, wheezing, vomiting, muscle aches and fever. Adults may experience runny nose, headache, cough and sore throat. Adults do not usually experience a fever from the vaccine.

The health department ordered 4,620 doses of flu vaccine for the county from two sources, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and from a medical supply company. The order was based on the number of doses of flu vaccine given to county residents last year. The health department will not place any restrictions on who may receive the vaccine this year.

County tax dollars were used to buy the vaccine. The health tax levy in Gallia County allows the health department to provide flu vaccine to Gallia County residents at no out of pocket expense, however, persons with Medicare part B or a medical card are asked to present their card at the time of service. Out-of-county residents will be charged a $32.81 fee for the vaccine.

The 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine is also available at the health department and clinic sites. Current recommendations are that persons aged 65 and older should receive one dose of the vaccine. It is also recommended that persons less than age 65 with a chronic disease also receive one dose of the vaccine. The ACIP (Advisory Council on Immunization Practices) recommends only two doses of pneumococcal vaccine in a life time. The vaccine will be provided at no out of pocket expense to those clients who present a Medicare Part B card. Those less than age 65 will be charged a fee to cover the cost of the vaccine plus an administration fee.

Call 441-2950 for current pneumococcal price or for more information regarding the influenza or pneumococcal vaccine.

The vaccine will be available daily at the health department beginning Monday, Oct. 27.

Flu vaccination clinics are also scheduled for every township in Gallia County as follows:

Tuesday, Oct. 28 — Centerville Village Hall, 8:30-10 a.m. University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College Lynn Center, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 29 — Vinton Town Hall, 9:30-11 a.m.; Ewington Academy, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Trinity United Methodist Church, 3-4:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 30 — Addaville Elementary School, 9-10:30 a.m.; Cheshire Township Building, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Morgan Township Building, 1:30-3 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 31 — Senior Resource Center, 9-10:30 a.m.; Green Township Townhouse, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Christ United Methodist Church, 1:30-3 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 3 —Harrison Township Community Building/Fire Station, 10:30 a.m.-noon; Grace United Methodist Church, 1:30-3 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 4 — Gallia County Health Department, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 5 — Greenfield Community Center, 9-10:30 a.m.; Cadmus Community Center, 11 a.m.-12:30p.m.; Patriot Lodge, 1:30-3 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 6 — Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 9-10:30 a.m.; Hannan Trace Elementary, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Crown City/City Building, 1:30-3 p.m.

For additional information, call the Nursing Section at 441-2950.