RICHMOND —
The Madison County Health Department will start giving flu vaccinations this week as sporadic reports of the flu have already popped up in Kentucky.
Thursday is the first day for flu vaccinations, according to spokesperson Christie Green.
“People can make an appointment or walk in to one of our clinics,” Green said.
One walk-in clinic will be 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 5 at both the Berea and Richmond locations, she said.
The MCHD will be offering four types of vaccines – intranasal (FluMist), injectable, high-dose and intradermal.
Intradermal shots are relatively new and only started being used during the 2011-2012 flu season, Green said. The injection is made just under the skin using a shorter needle.
“It feels kind of like a bee sting,” Green said, noting that people who don’t like the pain of regular shots might prefer this type of injection.
The intradermal shot also has a smaller amount of antigen in it, so there’s less chance a person may develop a mild fever or aches, which is sometimes a side effect of the regular shot, Green said.
The intranasal method for vaccinating against the flu uses live antigen, so people who have a chronic illness, are pregnant or are immunocompromised cannot take this vaccine.
The high-dose shot is recommended for people 65 and up, according to Green.
Children who are 6 months and older can receive a flu vaccine. However, up until the age of 8, children who have never had a flu shot before must get one dose and then a later booster shot.
“It helps (children) build their immunity,” Green said.
All vaccine types cost $25 at the health department, and the agency accepts Medicaid, Medicare and some private insurances.
“We also have vaccine from the Kentucky Vaccine Program available at a reduced price for uninsured children,” Green said. “The cost for that is $14.”
Many pharmacies at national chain stores and locally owned businesses now offer vaccines, and the health department has seen the demand for flu shots there decline over the years from a peak of 5,000 doses per season, Green said.
“We know there are more people who can get (flu vaccinations) if they want,” Green said.
However, even with the convenience of getting a flu shot while you’re out grocery shopping, Green said national research has shown the number of people receiving flu vaccinations each year has stayed about the same.
Green encouraged young adults, a demographic that is generally healthy, to still get a flu shot. She remembered a time when she was in college and got the flu during finals week.
“Peak flu season usually coincides with the holidays and finals week,” Green said.
Sarah Hogsed can be reached at shogsed@
richmondregister.com or 624-6694.
Local News
Flu vaccinations start Thursday at health department
Four types available
- Local News
-
-
White Hall teachers say farewell for the summer
White Hall Elementary kindergarten assistant Patti Von Fischer said she found a poem on the Internet that seemed to fit the last day of school perfectly.
“The teachers jumped out of the windows; the principals ran for the door; the nurse and librarian bolted; they’re not coming back anymore,” Von Fischer read over the loudspeaker Friday before students left for the summer. -
Benson will be state’s third highest paid university president
When Michael Benson begins his tenure as the 12th president of Eastern Kentucky University on Aug. 1, his $400,000 salary plus benefits will make him Kentucky’s third-highest paid state university president.
Benson’s pay will be less only than that of Eli Capilouto, president of the University of Kentucky, $500,000 a year, and Gary Ransdell, president of Western Kentucky University, $423,588 a year, according to figures obtained from the state Council on Post-secondary education. -
Richmond post troopers recognized at annual ceremony
The Kentucky State Police announced the 2012 Trooper of the Year, Detective of the Year, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer of the Year and other awards for acts of bravery, life-saving, professionalism and dedication to duty Friday at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort.
-
Second-grade classroom receives recognition for reading nearly 1,400 books
A project at Mayfield Elementary School has received recognition across state lines from a woman who found a balloon released in celebration of one classroom having read more than 1,000 books.
Second-grade teacher Wanda Wilson started the school year by challenging her 22 students to read a total of 1,000 books by the end of the school year. -
Pets of the Week
This week's cat is an 8-week-old female kitten. This week's dog is 1-year-old Nicki, a spayed female who does not care for horses, according to her previous owner.
-
Father/Daughter Dance is June 14 at RAAC
Dads and daughters will take to the dance floor Friday, June 14, for the second annual Father/Daughter Dance to benefit the Hope’s Wings Domestic Violence Program.
The ball will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Richmond Area Arts Center, 399 W. Water St. -
Three Richmond thefts reported Tuesday-Thursday
Richmond police are investigating thefts reported from Tuesday through Thursday.
An employee of Baptist Health, Eastern Bypass, reported Thursday that her vehicle had been broken into during the evening and a small shoulder purse was stolen. The purse contained several debit/credit cards, $70 in cash, and a Pantech slider cellular telephone. Estimated loss: $595. -
Paul plans re-election bid for U.S. Senate in 2016
Republican Rand Paul will run for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2016 regardless of any decision to launch a presidential bid. And he will campaign for his Kentucky colleague and Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2014.
-
‘Etta May’s On Her Way’ for Model Lab benefit
Laughter will fill Eastern Kentucky University’s Keen Johnson Ballroom June 8 when southern comedienne Etta May comes to town for Model Laboratory School’s first annual fundraising event.
Half of the ticket proceeds will be donated to help five Model programs: Scholarships, gifted programs, the arts, athletics and extended field trips or exchange programs, said school psychologist Ellen Rini. -
Court hearing reveals errors in trafficking case’s investigative file
A discrepancy in police records led to an unusual hearing in a drug trafficking case Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.
The attorney for 49-year-old Carla Rae Clontz made a motion earlier this month for a bill of particulars hearing. Both the prosecution and defense attorneys had noticed problems with the file numbers in Clontz’ case, and there also were different reports of the number of pills sheriff’s deputies allege were found in her home. - More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
