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Flu Shots Still Available From Kane Health Agency

Posted on: Wednesday, 4 January 2006, 12:00 CST

By William Presecky, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune

Jan. 4--Kane County public health officials continued to drive home the message Tuesday that it is not too late to be vaccinated for influenza.

Even with Illinois being added recently to the list of states reporting "sporadic" flu activity, immunization shots can and will continue to be administered by the county as long as there is ample demand, said Health Department Executive Director Mary Lou England.

The Health Department will continue to provide flu shots this month, by appointment and at walk-in clinics.

"It's not too late to get a flu shot," said England, in announcing Tuesday that her department will receive another 300 doses of vaccine this week.

The department has distributed 2,347 doses of flu vaccine, the most ever by the county in a single season, she said.

More than 200 doses of vaccine were administered at walk-in clinics held last week in Elgin and St. Charles. Additional clinics are being scheduled. Anyone 4 or older is eligible to receive a flu vaccine. There is a $14 fee.

The county began flu immunizations in mid-October.

"We're not the main provider. We try to fill the [distribution] gaps," said England, in explaining her department's role in providing flu vaccine.

Because of the large number of vaccine providers, England said there was no data available on how many flu shots have been distributed countywide.

The supply of the flu vaccine is ample this year, and the mix of viruses for which it provides immunity matches up well with the types of flu being seen, said Health Department epidemiologist Cindy Gross.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the flu shot provided this year is formulated to provide protection against three influenza strains that are circulating in the U.S.--A/New Caledonia, A/Fujian and B/Shanghai.

Because of the potential for spreading a flu virus, everyone who is eligible should be immunized, Gross said.

"If you don't care about your own health, think about the people around you," she said.

Nationally, about 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations result from the flu, Gross said.

In the last decade, influenza and pneumonia have been associated with an average of 3,500 deaths a year in Illinois, the state Department of Public Health said.

bpresecky@tribune.com

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Source: Chicago Tribune

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