Flu brings run on last of county's vaccine

The Flathead City-County Health Department has exhausted its supply of adult vaccine for this flu season.

A flurry of activity followed the department's announcement that influenza cases were reported in the valley.

Public health nurse Elaine Sedlack said the staff administered its last dose on Monday.

"We went through 60 then we got 30 more from one of the docs," Sedlack said.

She was surprised to find so many high-risk people had waited so long to get immunized.

Sedlack said the health department now refers people who need a flu shot to Occupational Health at The Summit.

"We have just about 70 doses left," Occupational Health Supervisor Nora Paro said Tuesday.

The clinic offers immunizations to people at high risk for complications of influenza from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"We don't do children under 16," Paro said.

According to Paro, most people get their shots without waiting long. She said it helps the staff if people call 756-2707 before coming in.

Unlike the health department, Occupational Health hasn't seen a large influx from the public seeking shots. However, the clinic immunized a lot of health-care workers.

"We had a huge turnout from the nursing staff," Paro said.

The shots cost $12. Paro said that FluMist, a nasal spray vaccine, is available for $20 for healthy individuals under 50 who would like flu protection.

The Occupational Health clinic is not set up to bill Medicare for flu immunizations.

Health officials urge people over 65 and others with chronic medical conditions or who are pregnant to seek immunization. The vaccine takes about two weeks to provide full protection.

According to Sedlack, 15 cases of influenza were recently found in the Flathead. Two of those infected had type A, the most virulent, and 13 had the less severe type B.

Symptoms include sudden onset of high fever, headache, cough, body aches and fatigue. Fever, fatigue and body aches distinguish the flu from a cold.

Flu symptoms hang on from one to two weeks; cold symptoms diminish in about three days.

So far, this year's vaccine is providing protection from identified viruses. It closely matches the A/Fujian and B/Shanghai varieties cropping up here and elsewhere in the country.

Statistics from the past two decades of flu seasons show January and February as the top months for reported infections.

Health officials recommend reducing infection risk through good hygiene such as frequent hand washing or using hand wipes or alcohol-based hand cleaners and not touching the eyes, nose or mouth.

Adequate rest and good nutrition also help avoid illness.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.