Influenza vaccine policies reviewed
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
With this season's influenza season waning, health officials are reviewing the past while looking toward the future.
Wednesday, at the Kosciusko County Board of Health, County Health Officer Dr. William Remington Jr. said Chief Public Health Nurse Deborah K. Frank gave approximately 1,000 flu vaccines this year. With the shortage of vaccines this year because of one manufacturer's inability to provide half of the nation's doses, Remington said, it was a frustrating season.
"I think we hit it pretty good as far as our role in Kosciusko County," he said. Not everyone in the county who wanted a shot probably received one, but in Kosciusko County, Remington said, they rely more on the private sector providing their patients with the vaccine.
For next year, he said, the county is going to order 2,000 doses directly through the manufacturer for a cost of about $23,000. The county will charge $10 per dose except for county employees, who will receive the vaccine for free. With the remaining doses, Remington said, at-risk people will be targeted.
Frank said for the past 11 years, they gave available shots to people 55 years of age and older at nutrition sites first, county employees next and then older persons who wanted it.
"We're going to have to charge if we're going to pay the $23,000," said Remington. "We need to recover some of that."
Frank said not as many county employees take advantage of the free flu shots as one may expect, probably not even 200. "Pretty much each one of the highway department (employees) get one," she said.
The Centers for Disease Control, Remington said, found some strains of the virus this year not completely covered by this year's vaccine.
A separate flu issue is the avian influenza, said Remington. It has the possibility of the making of a novel pandemic. The Avian flu has killed some in southeast Asia. The fatality rate is about 75 percent.
So far, Remington said, the virus travels only from bird to humans directly. There are no reported cases of it spreading from human to human. For it to go from person to person, Remington said, it is believed the virus would have to mutate.
"They're very watchful of this scenario," said Remington, and are trying to come up with a vaccine. The people who look at these issues, Remington said, believe it's just a matter of time.
He said he doesn't want to spook anyone, but it's good for people to be aware of what's going on.
"Influenza is just an interesting pathogen and we hope we never see a pandemic," Remington said.
In other business, the health board:
• Heard from county health administrator and chief environmental scientist Bob Weaver that the Well Child grant application for the United Way of Kosciusko County is completed. The money from the United Way is the only funding the Well Child program receives. Weaver said they hope to receive $44,000 for the grant.
"That program really is an important program," said Remington. Well Child also is the only government program United Way funds in this county.
• Heard from part-time community health worker Dawn Armey that the Well Child Clinic has a permanent child seat fitting site at the clinic. Having received the proper training, she said, she can show parents how to properly install the seats. For those who financially qualify, free car seats are available.
She also said as of July 1, the state law is changing regarding child safety seats. Children are required to ride properly restrained in a child restraint until they reach their 8th birthday. Children at least 8 years old until their 16th birthday are required to ride properly restrained in a child restraint system or seat belt in all seating positions in all vehicles.
Armey also reported they are starting a Safe Kids Program to educate parents on how to prevent unintentional deaths and injuries of children age 14 and under. In May, a National Safe Kids week will be celebrated.
Kosciusko County Health Board members are president Dr. Wymond B. Wilson, Dr. Karen Boling, Dr. Dennis Woodward, Robert Knudsen, Dr. John Jones, Dr. Thomas Howard and Joan Darr, Kosciusko Community Hospital. Their next meeting is June 15 at 7 p.m. in the county courthouse, Warsaw. [[In-content Ad]]
With this season's influenza season waning, health officials are reviewing the past while looking toward the future.
Wednesday, at the Kosciusko County Board of Health, County Health Officer Dr. William Remington Jr. said Chief Public Health Nurse Deborah K. Frank gave approximately 1,000 flu vaccines this year. With the shortage of vaccines this year because of one manufacturer's inability to provide half of the nation's doses, Remington said, it was a frustrating season.
"I think we hit it pretty good as far as our role in Kosciusko County," he said. Not everyone in the county who wanted a shot probably received one, but in Kosciusko County, Remington said, they rely more on the private sector providing their patients with the vaccine.
For next year, he said, the county is going to order 2,000 doses directly through the manufacturer for a cost of about $23,000. The county will charge $10 per dose except for county employees, who will receive the vaccine for free. With the remaining doses, Remington said, at-risk people will be targeted.
Frank said for the past 11 years, they gave available shots to people 55 years of age and older at nutrition sites first, county employees next and then older persons who wanted it.
"We're going to have to charge if we're going to pay the $23,000," said Remington. "We need to recover some of that."
Frank said not as many county employees take advantage of the free flu shots as one may expect, probably not even 200. "Pretty much each one of the highway department (employees) get one," she said.
The Centers for Disease Control, Remington said, found some strains of the virus this year not completely covered by this year's vaccine.
A separate flu issue is the avian influenza, said Remington. It has the possibility of the making of a novel pandemic. The Avian flu has killed some in southeast Asia. The fatality rate is about 75 percent.
So far, Remington said, the virus travels only from bird to humans directly. There are no reported cases of it spreading from human to human. For it to go from person to person, Remington said, it is believed the virus would have to mutate.
"They're very watchful of this scenario," said Remington, and are trying to come up with a vaccine. The people who look at these issues, Remington said, believe it's just a matter of time.
He said he doesn't want to spook anyone, but it's good for people to be aware of what's going on.
"Influenza is just an interesting pathogen and we hope we never see a pandemic," Remington said.
In other business, the health board:
• Heard from county health administrator and chief environmental scientist Bob Weaver that the Well Child grant application for the United Way of Kosciusko County is completed. The money from the United Way is the only funding the Well Child program receives. Weaver said they hope to receive $44,000 for the grant.
"That program really is an important program," said Remington. Well Child also is the only government program United Way funds in this county.
• Heard from part-time community health worker Dawn Armey that the Well Child Clinic has a permanent child seat fitting site at the clinic. Having received the proper training, she said, she can show parents how to properly install the seats. For those who financially qualify, free car seats are available.
She also said as of July 1, the state law is changing regarding child safety seats. Children are required to ride properly restrained in a child restraint until they reach their 8th birthday. Children at least 8 years old until their 16th birthday are required to ride properly restrained in a child restraint system or seat belt in all seating positions in all vehicles.
Armey also reported they are starting a Safe Kids Program to educate parents on how to prevent unintentional deaths and injuries of children age 14 and under. In May, a National Safe Kids week will be celebrated.
Kosciusko County Health Board members are president Dr. Wymond B. Wilson, Dr. Karen Boling, Dr. Dennis Woodward, Robert Knudsen, Dr. John Jones, Dr. Thomas Howard and Joan Darr, Kosciusko Community Hospital. Their next meeting is June 15 at 7 p.m. in the county courthouse, Warsaw. [[In-content Ad]]