Bollinger County Health Center expects more flu shots

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Bollinger County Health Center gave more than 650 seasonal flu shots during a one-day clinic at the end of September, the largest response it ever had, said director Beverly Piepenbrok.

Meadow Heights, Leopold and Zalma school districts had vaccinations for their students and staff that same week. Woodland had requested 300 doses and decided to wait until there was enough vaccine to accommodate the school in one day, Piepenbrok said.

None of the schools in Bollinger County has had to close because of a flu outbreak. Woodland superintendent Jennings Wilkinson told the Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce that his maintenance staff has been working daily disinfecting everything in the buildings to keep germs from spreading.

No confirmed instances of H1N1 flu have been reported in the area, Piepenbrok said. The health center expects to receive 100 doses of H1N1 vaccine, which will be given first to first responders and medical personnel, then to people age 2 to 49. Because it is a live virus, she said, anyone with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, will not be given the H1N1 vaccine.

"There will be strict screening for who can have it," she said.

Another shipment of seasonal flu vaccine is expected in early November. Although the vaccine seems to be in short supply in public health agencies, Piepenbrok said, "Walgreen's and Walmart seem to have plenty. They can get it, and we can't."

Public health nurse Diane Holzum said people should do everything they can to prevent the spread of the flu virus. "We encourage people to stay home when they're sick, keep their kids at home," she said. "We also encourage hand washing and hygiene."

This year's flu season has started earlier than usual, Piepenbrok said, Last year, Holzum said, the flu season peaked around March or April, and she advises people to time their shots to protect themselves during the six-month flu season. Both encourage residents to get a flu shot.

"People don't realize it, but 36,000 people a year die from seasonal flu," Piepenbrok said.