Bobb: Too few take flu shot

Response to targeted H1N1 flu clinics hasn’t exactly impressed Jackson County’s health officer.

Dr. Kenneth Bobb of Seymour said Monday he’s concerned the public isn’t taking the threat of the flu as seriously as it should be taken and encouraged county residents to take advantage of the vaccine, which will soon be offered through clinics set for three Saturdays in December at the Shoppes of Seymour — Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19.

“Election to not receive this vaccine is not in good keeping with good preventative health measures for you, as citizens, and your families,” Bobb said.

“The H1N1 influenza is a serious illness and capable of producing death,” he added. “There are currently 4,000 death cases reported nationally, with 540 of those being child deaths. There were 6 deaths in Indiana during the week of Nov. 9 through Nov. 14, bringing the total to 28.”

One of those 28 deaths was that of a Medora resident who died earlier this fall.

“The response to our clinics has been less than expected,” Bobb said. “The target groups have been our primary goal. We intend to continue to provide opportunities for those target groups but will soon be providing immunization to the total population.”

Dates for those clinics will be announced soon, Lin Montgomery, Jackson County Health Department’s public health coordinator, said Monday.

Meanwhile, the health department is extending by-appointment-only clinics from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To arrange an appointment, residents are asked to call a number that’s been established to handle those calls — 521-6688.

Although the December and appointment clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays remain focused on targeted groups, including those people ages 4 to 25 years old, the health department would not expect to turn away anyone seeking a flu shot, Montgomery said.

“The CDC and state board of health still say that according to our statistics we have not served our targeted population yet,” she said. “They’re still saying we need to get more children vaccinated and that the targeted group of 4 to 25 is still being hit the hardest by the flu. But we’re not going to turn anyone away.

“The reason they’re not encouraging people over 65 to bother with the vaccine is because they’ve been through so many types of the flu that they should have some immunity to it,” Montgomery added.

Bobb said he’s concerned some county residents aren’t receiving the vaccine out of misplaced fears.

“There are many misconceptions surrounding the vaccines,” Bobb said. “These vaccines are safe and have been manufactured under the same precautions as all vaccines previously manufactured. You do not get the flu from the flu shot. You may get minor respiratory complaint, runny nose, sore throat and low grade fever, if any, from the mist.”

Who’s targeted?

Groups targeted for receiving the H1N1 vaccine:

Pregnant women

Children ages 6 months to 4 years and their caregivers

Youth ages 4 to 25 and adults 25 to 64 with chronic underlying health issues