Free H1N1 shots available
January 12, 2010 |12:05 | Gossips By : Team X
The threat of influenza still looms in the air as the seasonal flu season gets under way and the prevalence of H1N1 flu remains elevated. National Influenza Vaccination Week, which began Sunday and runs through Saturday, has been established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination. The week will focus primarily on the individuals receiving the H1N1 vaccine.
The North Carolina Division of Public Health reports influenza killed seven children, 29 people between the ages of 25 and 49 years old and 31 people between the ages of 50 and 64 years old. The trend shows that children and middle-aged adults more susceptible to the H1N1 strain.
“We do not commonly see serious flu cases, much less deaths from flu, in the young and middle-aged adult population,” Megan Davies, state epidemiologist, said. “What we are experiencing in North Carolina is consistent with the rest of the country.” Lenoir County health director Joey Huff said it’s still important for people to take the time to receive their H1N1 immunization.
“There are still cases of H1N1 infection and there is a possibility that there could be another resurgence of the H1N1 infection, so it is still important for people to become vaccinated,” Huff said. “If there were to become a resurgence during the spring or summer, the vaccination would (provide) effective protection against developing the flu.”
The H1N1 vaccination will be distributed from 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays and from 8 a.m. to noon Fridays at the Lenoir County Health Department.“We’re continuing to provide the H1N1 vaccination free to anybody who wants it — there are no restrictions,” Huff said. “All they have to do is walk in.“We have plenty.”
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