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Show Svjuiq flu Clinics Planned in fifloab Next Thursday & Friday, Oct. 21 -22 The Southeastern Utah Health District has set the dates for the Swine Flu Immunization Clinics. The clinics have been set for Green River on Oct. 19, and in Moab at the Helen M. Knight Elementary School from 2:30 ' to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 and at the Moab Senior Citizens Center from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Oct. 22. Many people are questioning question-ing the efficacy of these clinics and they are wondering if they are solely a political move by President Ford in an election year. The public health department does not view this immunization program pro-gram as political manuevering but as an excellent opportunity to prevent a potentially serious flu outbreak. There is no assurance that there will be an epidemic of Swine Flu but there are indications that there might be. The following information from the United States Public Health Service is important and should answer any questions ques-tions a person might have concerning the Swine Flu and the vaccine. Also, a statement concerning reactions to this influenza vaccine should be read, and if there are any questions call the health department at 259-5602. A form is included with this story that can be clipped out. filled out and brought to the clinic to expedite the flow of the clinic. Those people who are 65 and older and those with chronic illness (heart, lung, kidney, etc.), will be given a bivalent vaccine for the A Victoria and Swine Flu strains. These people should consult with their local physician to see if they should have this vaccine. About the Vaccine You probably have heard a good deal about swine flu and swine flu vaccine. You may know, for example, that swine flu caused an outbreak" of several hundred cases at Ft. Dix, New Jersey, early in 1976, and that before then swine flu had not caused outbreaks among people since the 1920's. With the vast majority of Americans being susceptible to swine flu, it is possible that there could be an epidemic this winter. No one can say for sure. However, if an epidemic were to break out, millions of people could get sick. Therefore, There-fore, a special swine flu vaccine has been prepared and tested which should protect most people who receive it. Certain people, such as those with chronic medical problems and the elderly, need annual protection against flu. Therefore, besides protection protec-tion against swine flu, they also need protection against another type of flu (Victoria flu) that was around last winter and could occur again this winter. A separate vaccine has been prepared to ' give them protection against both types of flu. These vaccines have been field tested and shown to produce very few side effects. Some people who receive the vaccine had fever and soreness during the first day or two after vaccination. These tests and past experience with other flu vaccines indicate that anything more severe than this would be highly unlikely. Many Questions Asked Many people ask questions about flu vaccination during pregnancy. An advisory committee com-mittee of the Public Health Service examined this question ques-tion and reported that "there are no data specifically to contraindicate vaccination with the available killed virus vaccine in pregnancy. Women who are pregnant should be considered as having essentially essen-tially the same balance of benefits and risks regarding influenza vaccination and influenza in-fluenza as the general population." As indicated, some individuals individ-uals will develop fever and soreness after vaccination. If you have more severe symptoms symp-toms or if you have fever which lasts longer than a couple of days after vaccination, please consult your doctor or health worker wherever you receive medical care. While there is no reason to expect more serious reactions to this flu vaccination, persons who believe that they have been injured by this vaccination vaccina-tion may have a claim. The Congress recently passed a law providing that such claims, with certain exceptions, excep-tions, may be filed, only against the United States Government. Information regarding re-garding the filing of claims may be obtained by writing to the U. S. Public Health Service Claims Office, Parklawn Building, Build-ing, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Following is more information informa-tion about flu and flu vaccine. Please take the time to read it carefully. You will be asked to sign a form indicating that you understand this information and that you consent to vaccination. Monovalent Vaccine Influenza (flu) is caused by viruses. When people get flu they may have fever, chills, headache, dry cough or muscle aches. Illness may last several days or a week or more, and complete recovery, is usual. However, complications may lead to pneumonia or death in some people. For the elderly and people with diabetes or heart, lung, or kidney diseases, diseas-es, flu may be especially serious. It is unlikely that you have inadequate natural protection ' against swine flu, since it has not caused widespread human outbreaks in years. The vaccine will not give you flu because it is made from killed viruses. Today's flu vaccines cause fewer side effects than those used in the past. In contrast with some other vaccines, flu vaccine can be taken safely during pregnancy. preg-nancy. One Shot Will Do It One shot will protect most people from swine flu during the next flu season; however, either a second shot or a different dosage may be required for persons under age 25. If you are under 25 and a notice regarding such information informa-tion is not attached, this information will be provided to you wherever you receive the vaccine. Most people will have no side effects from the vaccine. However, tenderness at the site of the shot may occur and last for several days. Some people will also have fever, chills, headache, or muscle aches within the first 48 hours. As with any vaccine or drug, the possibility of severe or potentially fatal reactions exists. ex-ists. However, flu vaccine has rarely been associated with severe or fatal reactions. In some instances people receiving receiv-ing vaccine have had allergic reactions. You should note very carefully the following precautions: Children under a certain age should not routinely receive flu vaccine. Please ask about age limitations if this information is not attached. People with known allergy to eggs should I receive the vaccine only under I special medical supervision, j People with fever should delay getting vaccinated until the fever is gone. People who have I received another type of I vaccine in the past 14 days should consult a physician before taking the flu vaccine. If you have any questions about flu or flu vaccine, please ask. |