Perry County Health Department vaccination program underway

With last December's influenza season reaching record highs in hospitalizations for flu-related complications, health experts are emphasizing the importance for everyone older than 6 months to get a flu shot.

The Perry County Health Department has begun its fall immunization program and earlier this week gave out over 130 doses of the trivalent vaccine. The vaccine covers two of the Type A viruses and one of the Type B viruses. A child's quadvalent vaccine is also available, according to Ellice Wickwire, director of the immunization program at Perry County Health Department.

This is the first time certain vaccines this year will protect against four strains of the highly contagious virus - rather than the traditional three.

The health department expects to administer nearly 1,000 doses during its program and the supply of vaccine is strong.

Flu shots are $30 from the health department. Pneumonia shots are $75.

The department accepts cash, , checks and Medicare Part B. Please bring your Medicare Card. Flu vaccine for infants and children are done by APPOINTMENT ONLY! Please call 357-5371, Ext. 108 to schedule.

The vaccines are also available at some hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and through some home health services.

"We are still waiting on the baby vaccine, but it will be here soon," Wickwire said.

Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May, with seasonal flu activity peaking in December, January and February.

Last year's season saw the highest hospitalization rates, especially among older adults, since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began tracking the data. And deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza across the country hit highs not reached in nearly a decade, the CDC found.

The state's elderly accounted for more than 70 percent of the flu-related hospitalizations and 90 percent of the deaths.

A contagious respiratory illness, the influenza causes a range of common symptoms, including fever, sore throat, fatigue and, in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC.

While the virus is not normally life-threatening to the average healthy adult, it can cause pneumonia or other severe illnesses for some, including the very young, pregnant women and adults 65 and older.

The CDC recommends people consult their doctors before getting a flu shot, especially those with a severe allergy to chicken eggs.