Swine flu vaccine coming

Jackson County Health Director William Long says the vaccine for swine flu should be available in Jackson County before the end of the month.
His staff is already putting together a plan for its distribution. Long says it looks as if enough vaccine will be available for anyone in the county who wants it.
“The plan will likely include administering it to kids at school, and we’re probably going to have some clinic time after hours, perhaps some Saturdays, so that people will have as much access as possible,” Long said. “Nothing is set in concrete, but we’re exploring every option to make sure anyone who wants to be immunized will have the opportunity.”
In addition to the extra clinic hours, there’s another aspect that should make the vaccine more accessible. Long says he thinks it will be given free of charge. This is in contrast to the typical flu-season immunizations, which usually cost between $20 and $30.
The worldwide swine flu pandemic, which tends to target younger people rather than the elderly, has caused U.S. health officials to take extra measures to ensure the vaccine is readily available.
Long said nine cases have been confirmed in Jackson County through the health department, but emphasized that this number does not reflect the full picture. It doesn’t, for example, reflect what pediatricians and other health providers have seen in the community at large.
Additionally, sampling has stopped, on the order of U.S. health officials.
“We sent off 12 samples, and nine came back positive. We’re seeing and treating 20 to 30 people a month here at the health department who are showing flu-like symptoms,” he said. “And we haven’t sent any samples since some time in August, because nationwide, the samples were flooding the labs. U.S. health officials made this decision to stop the sample collection. The thinking is that it has become unnecessary now that we know the symptoms are the same as the traditional strains, and the treatment is also the same.”
Far more important than sampling after the fact, Long said, is prevention. That’s where his office has put its focus.
Long has taken the prevention message to school teachers and administrators, and to many civic groups and churches over the past several weeks.
“The single most effective way, by far, to guard against catching it is washing our hands several times a day,” Long said. “Thorough hand washing is so, so, so important. If you don’t have ready access to warm, soapy water, use a hand sanitizer. When a surface is touched by an infected person, say a door knob or a phone, the flu germ can be transmitted from the surface for eight hours or more.”
Avoiding close contact with people who are showing flu symptoms is another good measure, he said.
Long said school absenteeism due to flu-like illness peaked at roughly 8 or 9 percent a few weeks ago, but the absentee percentage has now dropped toward normal levels of 2 or 3 percent.
He thinks it will continue to fall, but cautioned the height of the flu season is yet to come. Continued diligence is important as it approaches, typically December, January and February.
“We’re seeing somewhat of a lull now, but that could change,” Long said. “People need to remain vigilant going into the season. Steer clear of people who are showing signs and if you have symptoms, stay away from crowds.
“Do what you can to protect the people around you. This is a different strain of the flu, but it’s very similar to what we’ve know. It came on quickly, and it seems to target children and younger people rather that elders. ... This is absolutely not a time to panic, but a time to become educated about what you can do.”