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Well-known member
400 doses of H1N1 vaccine given
By Jeff Bishop
The Times-Herald
The number of local people getting their free H1N1 or "swine flu" vaccinations has stepped up considerably, and the total now stands at about 400 doses administered out of the 700 initially provided by the state.
"The numbers have definitely picked up," said Coweta County Health Department Nursing Director Alice Jackson. Last week, when only small children could be given the spray mist dose, only about 100 doses were given.
Jackson said the numbers started to pick up the minute that parents were told they could bring in all their children to be vaccinated at once. That seems to be the message they were waiting for, Jackson said.
As soon as the age range opened up "we gave 70 to 80 doses in one afternoon, just within a three-hour range," said Jackson. "So we are getting it out. We've given out quite a bit."
She said there are some walk-ins, which are welcome, but it's probably best to schedule your visit to the health department on Jackson Street in Newnan ahead of time.
The hours of the health department are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but anyone wanting the H1N1 vaccine should show up at 4:15 p.m. at the latest.
"That's really the latest you should come in the afternoon," said Jackson.
Otherwise it becomes nearly impossible to process everyone and move them through the system before closing time at 5, she pointed out.
"We're supposed to be leaving at 5, but we're not," she said. "We've had to stay until 6 to finish up."
Coming in by 4:15 may be inconvenient, she said, but it's the best way to ensure that you receive the vaccination before closing time.
A new H1N1 provider locator can be found at http://www.district4health.org/sleeve.htm. The Web page also provides vaccine availability information, fact sheets and letters put out by the district health office.
Jackson said the health department is also updating its own Web site on the H1N1 vaccine.
"I am in the process of working with Patricia Palmer, public information officer for the county," said Jackson.
Interest has increased since health officials announced Thursday that a 10-year-old girl in the Augusta area died Saturday of swine flu.
Summer Rockefeller, a fifth-grader, died of the virus. She is the second child in the state who died of the illness without having an underlying health condition, officials said.
"Doctors still don't have all the answers" about swine flu, the girl's mother, Elizabeth Rockefeller, said in a written statement, according to Associated Press. "We need to remember to pray for all affected, young and old."
Georgia health officials say they expect swine flu shots to start arriving in the state this week.
Lisa Marie Shekell, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Community Health, said the initial batches of the injectable form of the vaccine are expected to go this week to hospitals. The shots should be available to other public and private providers by next week.
"That's what we're being told," Jackson confirmed, "but we haven't been given any firm dates yet."
http://www.times-herald.com/local/400-doses-of-H1N1-vaccine-given-880740
By Jeff Bishop
The Times-Herald
The number of local people getting their free H1N1 or "swine flu" vaccinations has stepped up considerably, and the total now stands at about 400 doses administered out of the 700 initially provided by the state.
"The numbers have definitely picked up," said Coweta County Health Department Nursing Director Alice Jackson. Last week, when only small children could be given the spray mist dose, only about 100 doses were given.
Jackson said the numbers started to pick up the minute that parents were told they could bring in all their children to be vaccinated at once. That seems to be the message they were waiting for, Jackson said.
As soon as the age range opened up "we gave 70 to 80 doses in one afternoon, just within a three-hour range," said Jackson. "So we are getting it out. We've given out quite a bit."
She said there are some walk-ins, which are welcome, but it's probably best to schedule your visit to the health department on Jackson Street in Newnan ahead of time.
The hours of the health department are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but anyone wanting the H1N1 vaccine should show up at 4:15 p.m. at the latest.
"That's really the latest you should come in the afternoon," said Jackson.
Otherwise it becomes nearly impossible to process everyone and move them through the system before closing time at 5, she pointed out.
"We're supposed to be leaving at 5, but we're not," she said. "We've had to stay until 6 to finish up."
Coming in by 4:15 may be inconvenient, she said, but it's the best way to ensure that you receive the vaccination before closing time.
A new H1N1 provider locator can be found at http://www.district4health.org/sleeve.htm. The Web page also provides vaccine availability information, fact sheets and letters put out by the district health office.
Jackson said the health department is also updating its own Web site on the H1N1 vaccine.
"I am in the process of working with Patricia Palmer, public information officer for the county," said Jackson.
Interest has increased since health officials announced Thursday that a 10-year-old girl in the Augusta area died Saturday of swine flu.
Summer Rockefeller, a fifth-grader, died of the virus. She is the second child in the state who died of the illness without having an underlying health condition, officials said.
"Doctors still don't have all the answers" about swine flu, the girl's mother, Elizabeth Rockefeller, said in a written statement, according to Associated Press. "We need to remember to pray for all affected, young and old."
Georgia health officials say they expect swine flu shots to start arriving in the state this week.
Lisa Marie Shekell, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Community Health, said the initial batches of the injectable form of the vaccine are expected to go this week to hospitals. The shots should be available to other public and private providers by next week.
"That's what we're being told," Jackson confirmed, "but we haven't been given any firm dates yet."
http://www.times-herald.com/local/400-doses-of-H1N1-vaccine-given-880740