Montrose - Daily Press

Kati O’Hare

Daily Press Writer

MONTROSE — Flu season is approaching and the Montrose Department of Health and Human Services is doing its part in disease prevention.

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On Thursday, 300 people showed up at Friendship Hall during the first hour of the department’s annual flu vaccine clinic, which ran until 4 p.m.

The clinic was scheduled for Oct. 25 but was postponed because of shipping problems. The department received its shipment of 2,800 vaccines on Nov. 2. Some of them will be distributed to the West End during a Nov. 28 clinic.

Dr. Dick Gingery, the department’s health program manager, said because of the late arrival of vaccines, a lot of people have already received shots. He said the department distributed several hundred shots in the last few weeks by appointment. According to department director Peg Mewes, 1,115 vaccines were distributed at this year’s clinic, less than last year’s 1,400.

Karen Connor, the department’s health educator, said people were lined up at the doors before they opened at 8 a.m., but the day ran smoothly.

More than 50 volunteers, working in shifts, directed people through a screening process that checked for egg allergies and pregnancy. Several privacy booths were set up to administer shots.

“Most of the volunteers are from the department, but the Montrose Memorial Hospital, Mesa State nursing program, and retired active nurses also helped out,” Gingery said.

Friendship Hall was set up according to a federal model and the clinic was used as training for the department. If an emergency situation did arise, such as a flu pandemic, Gingery said the department would be able to create a structure quickly.

Several members of the Montrose Amateur Radio Club were also training. Club member Lou French is a certified ham radio technician and practiced sending messages via radio to the Grand Junction hospital on the amount of vaccines distributed.

During an emergency, the radios would be able to maintain communication when local communication became interrupted.

Local police officers were stationed outside the hall directing traffic as a part of the training.

Connor said it is also important for the department to educate people on the importance of vaccinations.

The flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, runs from mid-December to March or April. The CDC recommends getting the flu shot in September or October because the closer it gets to the season the less likely the shot will be effective.

Gingery said it takes about two weeks to develop full immunity. It is still possible to come down with the flu but historically the symptoms are less severe. He warns medication that helps treat the flu must be taken within the first 48 hours to be effective and recommends people who are “high risk” (see side box) make a decision to visit the doctor early.

The vaccines that are distributed have only three strands of the flu, Connor said. The CDC decides what it thinks will be the major strand and adds two others out of hundreds. She said this is why some people may still become sick.

Gingery said people that couldn’t make it to the clinic can call the department at 249-5000 and make an appointment. Department personnel also do agency visits. Today they are visiting the police department to administer shots.

He said for those who choose not to get a flu shot this year, “they better be hoping and praying it’s not a bad season.”

He added that washing hands frequently and practicing good sneezing and coughing techniques are preventable measures. The CDC also recommends limiting exposure to infected people and practicing healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep and exercising. These things, it says, helps the immune system better fight off the germs that cause illness.

“There’s not a magic bullet in medication or vitamins that help prevent the flu,” Gingery said.

The department has not received vaccinations for children, but Gingery said they are on order and should arrive around the end of November or early December.

He said parents should call the department or their health care provider to make an appointment.

Contact Kati O’Hare via e-mail at katio@montrosepress.com

Comments

Kaitlyn Heichel wrote on Nov 3, 2009 2:01 PM:

" My dad was Robert Heichel and i just wanted to thank again everyone that helped looked for him. It was over 3 years ago that he died, but i will never forget him. I think about him still every single day and life without him is so hard. Thank you everyone who spent time looking for him. I wish this could have been a happy ending but life isn't fair. My dad died when i was 12 and i am now almost 16. Thank you again for everything you guys have done. Your amazing. "




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Sarah Bond wrote on Jul 13, 2009 5:31 PM:

" It really makes me sick that people lie about certain events to make themselves look better than they really are... Just to set the record straight, one of those stories is extremely false. Email me if you want the real story from the person who was actually there. "




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