SWINE FLU VACCINE

It’s apparent that state health officials are taking no chances when it comes to seasonal influenza or the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as the swine flu.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has arranged H1N1 flu clinics at county health departments statewide.

In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, DHEC has targeted its limited vaccine supplies towards people in “high-risk” categories. These include children under the age of 9, young adults ages 18-24 and adults ages 25-64 with health conditions that put them at higher risk of medical complications from flu. Pregnant women as well as health care and emergency medical personnel are also on the priority list.

“We ask everyone else to please remain patient as more vaccine supplies come into the state,” DHEC Public Information Officer Jim Beasley said. “According to our most recent weekly report, very young children are still suffering a great number of severe cases. It’s important that we target and reach this vulnerable population.”

As more vaccine becomes available the target groups will be expanded to include healthy adults 25-64 years of age and senior citizens.

A H1N1 flu clinic will be held Saturday at the Cherokee County Public Health Department on Logan St. from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The clinic is specifically for those at a high risk to contract the disease. There is no fee for the vaccine.

County schools will also serve as vaccination centers so the H1N1 vaccine can be provided free to students and staff once it becomes available, said Donna Peeler, school district health coordinator. Schools are preparing to send letters home this week with students, seeking parents’ permission before vaccine clinics are scheduled with DHEC.

An inactivated vaccine injected into the muscle similar to the annual flu shot is available, in addition to the nasal spray variety.

The school district hopes to start giving the H1N1 vaccine before the Thanksgiving holidays.

“Our goal is to prevent and reduce the spread of the flu,” Peeler said. “We are offering the vaccine to students, teachers, custodians, staff and school bus drivers.”

The school district is watching for flu-like illnesses in schools and reporting to the state health department every day. Both the regular flu and the H1N1 swine flu viruses are expected to occur this year.

Cherokee County is among the school districts in the process of scheduling clinics.

All H1N1 vaccinations given through DHEC clinics — whether in schools or elsewhere — will be free.

The state has been allocated approximately 330,000 doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine.

“Often here at DHEC we talk about community immunity, in which we know everyone has not been immunized, but may never come into contact with the disease because someone else did and broke the virus’ transmission chain,” Beasley said. “The more people that are vaccinated, the quicker we can stop the spread.”

Like other flu viruses, H1N1 spreads from person to person through coughing, sneezing and sometimes through touching objects contaminated with the virus.

Signs of the virus include fatigue, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, chills, coughing and sneezing. Some flu victims might also have diarrhea and vomiting.