Brooke students receive swine flu vaccines

WELLSBURG - Brooke County health officials and school nurses teamed Wednesday evening to provide vaccinations for the H1N1 virus to many Brooke County children.

Though county health officials expect to vaccinate more than 400 children during the clinic, which continues today at the school and Saturday at the health department, there were no long lines.

Karen McClain, administrator for the health department, explained letters were sent to parents inviting them to have their children vaccinated and appointments scheduled by phone to ensure turnout wouldn't exceed the available supply.

McClain said some children were put on a waiting list for a clinic that will be held in the near future. She said the county received a limited number of doses and less than other counties because its distribution is based on population.

Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported production of the vaccine has been slower than expected, but McClain said more vaccines should be available to Brooke County in the near future.

"We feel confident that in the next few weeks we will have enough vaccines to meet the demand," she said. "Eventually, we hope to have an open call for all community members."

McClain said this week's clinic targeted children, teens and pregnant women because they are considered most at risk of getting the swine flu.

McClain said parents should encourage their children to wash their hands frequently and cough or sneeze into their elbows to reduce the spread of germs. She added they should be kept at home if they become sick.

She noted people age 65 and older are considered less at risk because many were exposed to the virus years ago.

Participants in this week's clinic received either a mist sprayed into their nose or an injection.

McClain explained most will get the intranasal vaccination, but because it stimulates a strong response from one's immune system, injections are recommended for pregnant women or those with chronic conditions such as asthma.

Children age 9 and under must receive two doses of the vaccine, a month apart, she noted.

McClain said a clinic also is planned at Bethany College, where the health department operates a satellite health clinic.

She said about 68 health care workers were vaccinated by the department last week. The number would have been larger, but Weirton Medical Center and other area hospitals also have vaccinated their staff.

McClain said health care workers are considered a priority not only because they have contact with people who are ill, but also because they would be needed if a major outbreak occurred.

She said she doesn't know how many Brooke County residents have been diagnosed with the swine flu because doctors in West Virginia only submit random mucous samples from patients, and it's not been determined how many flu cases are related to the H1N1 virus.

McClain acknowledged reports of hundreds of deaths related to the swine flu have caused much concern. But she said the number, though alarming, pales in comparison to a yearly average of 36,000 flu-related deaths caused by viruses other than H1N1.

McClain encourages everyone also to receive conventional flu vaccinations, which are available through the health department. For information about either vaccine, call (304) 737-3665.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com)