By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2009-12-08 10:43:02 | Word Count: 584
The Arkansas Department of Health is planning additional mass vaccination clinics for the seasonal and H1N1 flu in nearly every county starting next week. The H1N1 vaccine will be available to everyone while supplies last, not just priority groups at higher risk for complications from the virus, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
Baxter County's flu clinic is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Baxter County Fairgrounds and Marion County's clinic is 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Marion County Health Unit. The clinics will be walk-through.
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Although there is no charge for the vaccines, participants are asked to bring their health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or ARKids First cards so the health department can file with their insurance providers.
Those who intend to receive a vaccine also are asked to wear proper clothing, such as short-sleeved or loose-fitting shirts, as the shot is given in the shoulder area, said Marion County Health Unit Administrator Judy Martin.
Health officials with the Baxter and Marion county health units said the first round of mass flu clinics conducted in October went smoothly.
The Baxter County Health Unit administered about 8,000 vaccines during its school flu clinics and mass flu clinic, said Louanne McLendon, clinic coordinator. In Marion County, about 3,400 vaccines were given with the help of more than 80 volunteers, Martin said.
At the last mass flu clinics, only a few priority groups at the highest risk for serious complications were able to receive the H1N1 vaccine.
Priority groups include pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers younger than 6, health care and emergency medical services personnel, everyone 6 months to 24 years old, and those aged 25-64 who have health conditions associated with a higher risk of medical complications from the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Children under age 10 should receive a second H1N1 flu shot and children less than age 9 who have never received a seasonal flu shot before should have a second flu shot, according to the state health department. The first and second shots should be given at least four weeks apart.Statewide, 20 people have died from the H1N1 flu, according to the state health department. Nationally, 1,224 people have died from both seasonal and H1N1 flu from Aug. 30 to Nov. 21, according to the CDCNational information indicates a decline in flu hospitalizations and deaths, although the numbers are high compared to what is expected for this time of year, according to the CDC. During the week of Nov. 15-21, the number of states reporting widespread flu activity declined by 11, from 43 to 32, the CDC reported.
To prevent the spread of the flu, cover your nose or mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands frequently, or if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, according to health officials. People also should avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth, avoid close contact with sick people and stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone, except to get medical care or other necessities.
