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Show Flu Clinics Slated In Area Trying to stay one step ahead of impending illness and disease, the Southwest Utah District Health Department announces that influenza (Flu) vaccine will be available at the Health Department beginning Sept. 1. In consideration of the sometimes serious affects of Influenza virus, all members of the community are encouraged to receive the vaccination. The Influenza vaccine will be available free to adults 65 years or older, and to all others at a minimal cost. Vaccine will be administered at the following locations. Sept. 13 at Panguitch Community Center from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 19 at Tropic, Escalante and Cannonville. Tropic, 9 to 11 a.m., scout house Escalante, 2 to 4 p.m., Kazan Clinic; Cannonville, 11 to 12 noon, civic center. Oct. 2 at Hatch Social Hall from 1-3 p.m. Marge King, nursing supervisor for the district, emphasized the importance of receiving the vaccine. "It is particularly important for the elderly and those individuals with chronic health problems like diabettes; diseases of the heart, lungs, or kidneys; severe anemia, or chronic illnesses. The risk of complications and death from influenza Is highest for these people." Although Influenza epidemics are unpredictable, some Influenza occurs In the United States each year. In 1978 large numbers of influenza cases occurred in Seuthwest Utah, with up to 40 percent absenteeism In some schools. This strain of influenza was relatively mild and no known fatalities resulted. Some Influenza strains are more virulent and produce a significant mortality in addition to the discomfort and loss of time engendered by the acute illness. Influenza viruses frequently undergo changes in their chemical makeup. These changes make it possible to catch influenza even though immunity (antibodies) may have been developed against previous strains of influenza. Thus, having had influenza or influenza vaccine in past years may not prevent getting influenza again. The influenza vaccine to be distributed this fall has been updated to offer protection against three influenza strains (A USSR, A - Texas, B Hong Kong). One shot should produce protective levels of antibody against these three strains in 68 to 89 percent of adults 26 years of age or older. Two shots about one month apart are necessary to achieve the same level of antibodies in people 6 months through 25 years of age. Influenza vaccine doesn't provide protection against other viral illnesses such as the common cold. |
