MOUNT VERNON — They arrived in tank tops, sleeveless shirts and with arms hanging out of sweat shirts and jackets to get a shot in the arm. They were so eager to get their flu shot that the Knox County Health Department opened the gates early to accommodate those already waiting before the 9 a.m. scheduled start of the drive-thru flu shot clinic Saturday at the Knox County Fairgrounds.
“We started early because there were so many people waiting,” said Jackie Fletcher, nursing director for the health department. She confirmed that 114 shots were administered from about 8:15 to 9 a.m.
Over 600 shots were given Saturday, an increase of 100 people from last year, according to Pam Palm, director of health promotions services for KCHD.
Thirty health department employees and six Citizen Corps volunteers manned stations from the front gate to the actual shot area that kept traffic moving. Early Saturday morning, it took around 11 minutes from start to finish.
“There was a steady stream of people. People were extremely appreciative and very accommodating. We never had a backup,” Palm said.
According to information passed out at the clinic, 226,000 people, on average, are hospitalized every year from the flu and 36,000 die from the contagious disease.
Albert Turk of Mount Vernon was one of those people hospitalized and now relies on his annual flu shot to keep him healthy during flu season.
“I get [a flu shot] every year,” Turk said. “One year I didn’t come and ended up in the hospital because of the flu.”
Glen Barteau, a health department nurse for 10 years, is happy to be involved in the drive-thru clinic.
“It’s my third or fourth year,” Barteau said. “This clinic is a great service to the community.”
Barteau said that patients of all ages took advantage of Saturday’s clinic. Even families like Jeff and Mary Stricker were in line with their son to get their dose of flu prevention.
“It’s been hit or miss getting shots,” Mary said. Jeff added that he was down with the flu last year and wanted to make sure he and his were protected this year, especially with 3-year-old son, Zane, starting preschool.
All-in-all, the day was a success in many ways, according to Palm. Not only were a large number of residents inoculated for the flu, but health department staff received on-the-job training in case of an emergency.
“Our main reason for the drive-thru clinic is to offer vaccinations,” Palm said. “This is also training experience for the entire staff on emergency preparedness. If we have to provide a vaccine to a large group of people, this is how we would do it. It also gives our people the opportunity to work outside the box and do things they don’t normally do.”
In the past, flu vaccine was often in short supply causing health departments and doctors’ offices to limit the shots to those in the high risk categories such as senior citizens, children and those with health concerns. That’s not the case this year.
“There is so much [vaccine] this year we can offer it to everyone,” Fletcher said.
Fletcher explained that the vaccine is developed based on what strain of influenza is likely each year.
“They look at previous trends and use their best judgment. They make the vaccines as to what’s coming,” Fletcher said.
Even if different strains end up in the United States, Fletcher said that the current flu shot will at least lessen the severity.
Because flu is spread by coughing, sneezing or nasal secretions, officials are stressing the importance of vaccinating school age children from 6 to 18 years old.
Other groups encouraged to seek vaccination include:
•Children as young as 6 months old.
•Anyone 50 years of age or older.
•Pregnant women.
•Anyone with chronic illnesses.
•Anyone with a weakened immune system.
•Anyone with certain muscle and nerve disorders.
•Health care providers or anyone who cares for someone at risk.
•Residents of nursing homes, dormitories or correctional facilities.
For those that missed Saturday’s clinic, the health department is offering shots Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In addition, neighborhood clinics are scheduled as follows:
•Tuesday, Centerburg Senior Services, 119 S. Preston St., Centerburg, 1 to 3 p.m.
•Oct. 28, Fredericktown Community Library, 1 Burgett Drive, Fredericktown, 1 to 3 p.m.
•Oct. 30, St. Luke Community Center, 307 S. Market St., Danville, 1 to 3 p.m.
•Nov. 4, Gambier Community Center, 115 Meadow Lane, Gambier, 1 to 3 p.m.
•Nov. 6, Floral Valley Community Center, 850 Crestrose Drive, Howard, 1 to 3 p.m.
There is a fee for the shot. Medicare and Medicaid are accepted.
