Local News
Few people take advantage of early swine flu shots
By Tiffany Green
Fewer people than expected turned out for the first swine flu vaccine clinic Wednesday in Cullman.
“We are not having the turnout we were expecting,” said Crystal Page, clinic supervisor.
The clinic was fully staffed and ready to give out the 850 doses they had received.
Page thought the low turnout was due in part because of the late notice given by the state health department. She also said people may still be wary of the vaccine.
“I’m sure there are some reservations, but hopefully they will do some research and make the right decision,” Page said.
The vaccine has been thoroughly tested and clinical trials turned up no red flags, the Center for Disease reported. The only complaints have been soreness at the injection site.
For children 9 and under, the vaccine is a two-dose shot. The second dose is given a month or more after the first.
The health department does not have a confirmed shipping date for the vaccine’s second dose.
Brandy Hutson was headed to Birmingham to get the vaccine for her and her 2-year-old daughter when she saw that Cullman was having a clinic.
“My doctor suggested I do it, and I want to protect my daughter,” said Hutson, who is pregnant.
She said she usually gets the seasonal flu vaccine and thought it was best to get the swine flu vaccine also.
“My dad kept on me to get it,” she said.
Page said if this flu would have been seen earlier, it would have been included in the seasonal flu vaccine.
“It is manufactured the same way and it is safe,” she said.
Because the vaccine is being manufactured slower than anticipated, it has been more difficult to set vaccine clinic times.
The health department will continue the clinic tomorrow if vaccines are still available.
The 2009 H1N1 vaccine shot is an inactivated vaccine that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The shot has been approved for people age six months and older.
The same manufacturers who produce seasonal flu shots are producing 2009 H1N1 flu shots for use in the United States this season. The 2009 H1N1 flu shot is being made in the same way that the seasonal flu shot is made.
As of Oct. 23, influenza continues to circulate throughout the state. Of the positive flu cases reported to the state in the last three weeks, 99.7 percent were the H1N1 strain.
Alabama Department of Public Health is aware of 20 flu associated deaths in Alabama since July 1, 19 of which have laboratory confirmation.
For more information on the swine flu and any feature clinics, visit www.adph.org.or call the local health department at 734-1030.
‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
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