MOUNT VERNON — Flu season is upon us, but it’s not too late to
get a flu shot and several thousand Knox County residents have done so already.
“So far this year we’ve given about 1,500 shots at the health department,” said
Jackie Fletcher, RN, supervisor of the medical clinic at the Knox County Health
Department. “Of those 1,500, about 250 were using the nasal spray for children
between the ages of 2 years to 18 years.”
Fletcher said the number of flu shots administered by the health department is
down slightly from last year when it administered slightly more than 2,000.
Fletcher said it’s hard to know just how many cases of influenza there
have been this year because it is not required for health professionals to report
cases. She said while many will go to their own doctors, some don’t even
bother going to a doctor when they have symptoms.
“We do get a weekly report from Knox Community Hospital,” she explained.
The report covers those who the hospital has tested for influenza.
“In January, for instance, the hospital reported they gave 229 tests,” Fletcher
said. “Of those, 47 tested positive for Influenza A and seven tested positive
for Influenza B.”
KCH also reported three were admitted to the hospital mostly for dehydration
Fletcher said.
This year’s shots cover both Influenza A and B, Fletcher added.
Fletcher said she does not have any firm figures from other counties but from
talking to them, they are experiencing similar numbers.
For the full story, click here for the February 2, 2011 e-edition
