Preparing for Flu Season

San Juan Basin Health preparing for flu season

It's that season again.

   October 1, 2008 Durango Herald

 Kids dreaming of what they'll be for Halloween, aspens turning, people cutting wood for winter and the San Juan Basin Health gearing up for its seasonal flu campaign. Every year, all staff members work together on flu clinics. Last year, staff provided flu shots to 4000 individuals. The Health Department also does off-site clinics, including Senior Centers in Bayfield, Durango and Ignacio as well as the city of Durango and local businesses.

This year, there will be a new option for individuals when flu clinics begin at San Juan Basin Health Department. Flu Mist will be available for individuals between 2 years old and 49 years old. Advantages, said flu-clinic coordinator Joe Fowler, include being preservative-free and not needing needles. A potential bonus for children may be longer immunity and a higher level of protection, according to some studies. Because Flu Mist is a live vaccine, it is only approved for individuals with no chronic underlying health problems. Flu Mist does contain mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) and a small amount of Gentamicin, an antibiotic. It will cost $35, which is $10 more than the regular flu shot.

Preparations for this year's flu vaccine began last winter. Fowler said, "each year, the World Health Organization settles on the composition of the flu vaccine six months before as it takes that long to grow, produce and manufacture it." Unlike last year's flu vaccine, Fowler said this year's looks like it's a good match judging from flu strains already circulating in other countries in the southern hemisphere.

Influenza is a serious, highly contagious disease that results in an average of 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations every year on average. These statistics don't include others who just get sick. "You're flat on your back for days" said Fowler. "The flu is a serious illness unlike a bad cold." This translates for many into a financial cost. Studies have shown adults who receive a flu vaccine have 27 percent fewer missed work days because of illness.

To better protect the public, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending that all eligible children ages 6 months through 18 years receive the influenza vaccine. By preventing these children from getting sick, family members also are protected as well as the many other people these children might come in contact with on a daily basis.

There is an all-time high supply of vaccine this year making it possible for more people than ever to seek protection from the flu. While vaccine is being distributed a little earlier this year, it's fine to get your flu shot in November and December.

For more information, visit immunizecolorado.com or view "Why Flu Vaccination Matters" at www.youtube.com/user/cdcflu.

Flu Clinics:

Every Friday, Oct. 10 - Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at San Juan Basin Health.

Clinics will also be held at the area's Senior Centers:

Durango: Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

 Ignacio: Oct. 14 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Bayfield: Oct. 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m

Jane Looney is the communications director with the San Juan Basin Health Department.