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Show Be immunized, avert Swine Flu pandemic, Health Director warns Dr. David Trafton, Medical Director of the Southwestern Utah District Health Department, Depart-ment, has reported that once every 10 years or so, Influenza viruses undergo a major change and a Pandemic (worldwide epidemic) results because few, if any people have immunity to the new virus. The Asian Flu of 1957-58 resulting in 45 million cases and 70,000 deaths, and the Hong Kong Flu of 1968-69 affecting 50 million people and causing 33,000 deaths are examples of pandemics caused by major changes in the flu virus. The virus identified in the epidemic at Fort Dix, New Jersey last spring was previously only present in "Swine" and closely resembles the "Spanish" Flu virus which caused the 1918-19 pandemic which took a worldwide death toll of more than 20 million. Half a million of these deaths were in the U.S. and many of these fatalities ' occurred among apparently ap-parently healthy young men and women. Although there is no absolute proof, some national influenza specialists believe that the "New Jersey" virus is the same one which caused the terrible pandemic pan-demic in 1918-19 and has kept alive in the Swine population for nearly 60 years. Another 1918 might be in the making for this winter, even though antibiotics and other medical advances would be able to prevent certain complications. The new vaccines have been extensively tested during the summer and found to be from 70-90 70-90 percent effective in persons age 24 and older. They are somewhat less effective in the 18-24 18-24 age group and a booster dose is required under age 18. These new vaccines are purer, more potent and produce a higher degree of protection with fewer adverse reactions compared com-pared to previous Flu vaccines. The vaccine is prepared from a dead virus and cannot cause influenza. Some persons (not more than 25 percent) will have some transient swelling, redness or tenderness at the injection site. A few (1 or 2 percent) will have some low fever, headache or muscle aches for 24 to 48 hours. More serious reactions are extremely rare. A 20 minute slide-tape presentation (using 35 milimctcr slides in a kodak carousel and a standard cassette) is available on loan to any public or private group or organization who will show it to an interested audience. It is available from Ila Mae Rhyn- sburger, R.N. Project Coor dinator 673-9691 or through your local Health Department Office, located at 1552 West 200 North, Cedar City. The National Influenza Im-munication Im-munication Program is now underway and some vaccine is expected to arrive in the Southwestern South-western Health District during the week of October 4. Dr. Trafton advised that the earliest vaccine available will be the Bivalent type designed for "High Risk" persons and will be distributed primarily to Private Physicians for their "Special High Risk" patients. Health Department Staff will also be prepared to provide immunizations im-munizations in Nursing Homes in the District. I Generally only those persons who are over 65 years of age or suffering from Chronic Heart, or Lung or Kidney Disease or Diabetes need to receive the "Bivalent" vaccine. All others should receive the "Monovalent" vaccine. The medical screeners at the Public Clinics will assist persons who are not certain of their requirements. Persons who are allergic to eggs, have a fever at the time of the Clinic, or have received another immunization within 2 weeks, or who have other contraindications, con-traindications, will not be immunized im-munized at the Public Clinics, but referred to their Private Physicians who are more aware of their individual medical histories. Children under the age of 18 will not be immunized unless they are "High Risk" and over the age of 3. Further information on what constitutes High Risk will be published later. A third "Split Virus" vaccine is being produced specifically for this group. It will require a booster dose in 4-6 weeks and is not expected to result in any more adverse reactions than the other vaccines. The tentative schedules and locations for Public Influenza Immunization Clinics for residents of Iron County are: v- Cedar City, Utah, Friday October 22, 1976, 12 - 8 p.m. at the SUSC Field House. Parowan, Utah, Thursday, November 4, 1976, 3 - 8 p.m. at the Elementary School Auditorium. Cedar City, Utah, Saturday November 6, 1976, 10 - 5 a.m. at the SUSC Field House. Clinics for New Castle, Modena, Beryl, and Escalante Valley will be held in Enterprise on Friday November 5, 1976 at 3 -7 p.m. in the Enterprise School Multi-purpose room. Location and times for clinics on November 29 and 30 and December 1, 2, and 3 are to be scheduled later. v v |