September 24, 2003
Reported in:
Galveston Daily News 09/29/03 and 10/06/03
Guidry Gulf Coast E-News 09/26/03
Texas City Sun 10/06/03

La Marque – Influenza is more than sniffles. It’s fever. It’s chills. It’s aching. It’s coughing. And it can lead to pneumonia. All of this misery could be avoided with an annual influenza (flu) vaccine.

• Persons aged 50 and older;
• Residents of long term care facilities of any age with chronic medical conditions;
• Children and adults with chronic lung and heart problems;
• Children and adults with any chronic metabolic disease including diabetes;
• Persons 6 months to 18 years receiving long term aspirin therapy; and
• Women who will be more than 3 months pregnant during the flu season.

“Getting vaccinated, especially for those in the high-risk populations, is the best prevention,” says Mark Guidry, M.D., M.P.H., Health Authority for the Galveston County Health District. “Although the flu itself typically lasts only a week or two, it can lead to more serious illness such as pneumonia, especially for the elderly and people with other health problems. Every year an estimated 8,000 Texans are hospitalized and 1,500 die due to influenza or its complications.”

It is not uncommon to hear a person question the need for a flu shot, or say that they have received one in the past and still contracted the flu. Chuck Chambers, Epidemiologist with the District, states that this is a common myth. “People who have received a flu vaccination may get sick from a different virus that causes respiratory illness but is mistaken for flu; the flu shot only prevents illness caused by three influenza viruses selected each year for the vaccine.” Also, Chambers states that, “the licensed flu vaccine used in the United States is made from inactivated or killed viruses, cannot cause flu and does not cause flu illness.”

“The vaccine is not recommended for people who have an allergic reaction to eggs or anyone with a history of Guillain-Barre’ Syndrome,” said Shirley Carr, RN, Public Health Nursing Director.

For the 2003-2004 flu season the Galveston County Health District is promoting October as “Influenza Prevention Month.” In order to make it easy for county residents to receive the flu vaccine, a series of events are being planned throughout the county.

The District will begin its flu prevention campaign on Tuesday, October 6, 2003 providing $16 flu vaccines for certain high-risk groups and their close contacts. For persons with Medicare Part B insurance, the shot will be available at no cost to them.

A recently implemented Senior Health Corps, “Passport to Good Health”, will be holding a series of health fests to promote wellness among Galveston County seniors where they can get the flu shot. In addition to the vaccination, other information beneficial to seniors with a desire to maintain good health will be available at the “Senior Health Corps Fests”. “This will be a great opportunity for local seniors to come in and find out what services the District can provide,” says Charles Kelley, Senior Health Coordinator for the District.

“Senior Health Corps Fests” will be conducted on the following dates from 10 a.m. – 12 noon. Flu shots will be available at these events from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

• October 7, Walter Hall Park
  807 Hwy 3 North, League City

• October 13, Bay Vue United Methodist Church
  1441 Hwy 87, Crystal Beach

• October 15, Carbide Park Wayne Johnson Community Center
  4102 FM 519, La Marque

• October 16, Dickinson Senior Citizens Center
  2714 Hwy 3, Dickinson

• October 22, Galveston Senior Citizens Center
  2201 Ave. L, Galveston

• October 23, Bacliff Community Center
  4503 11th Street, Bacliff

In addition, District staff will also be conducting open houses in recognition of National Community Health Center Week at both 4C’s clinics: Wednesday, October 8, 2003, 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. “Recently, great efforts have been made to increase access to the healthcare services provided at the 4C’s clinics,” explains Umair Shah, M.D., M.P.H., Medical Director for the Galveston County Health District’s 4C’s Clinics. “We are particularly encouraging local senior citizens to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the 4C’s clinics and get vaccinated for the flu.”

Those attending the open house can receive a flu shot, take advantage of blood pressure screenings and blood sugar/diabetes screenings, tour 4C’s clinic facilities, meet clinic staff, and enjoy refreshments. 4C’s clinics are located in the Texas City Community Family Center, 2000 Texas Avenue, Texas City; and in the Island Community Center, 4700 Broadway, Galveston.

Finally, the District’s Community Health Nursing staff will continue to offer flu shots at other traditional locations throughout the county where they have been offered in the past. These sites include the following locations:

• October 6, 9 a.m., Santa Fe Senior Citizens
  14304 Beriton, Santa Fe
• October 8, 9 a.m., Moody Gardens Senior Citizens Expo
  One Hope Blvd., Galveston
• October 10, 9 a.m., College of the Mainland Senior Citizens
  1200 Amburn Road, Texas City
• October 10, 1:30 p.m., The Sanders Center
  801 3rd Ave. South, Texas City
• October 13, 1 p.m., High Island Schools
  2113 6th Street, High Island
• October 14, 2 p.m., Stewart Elementary
  8100 Barry, Hitchcock

• October 17, 9 a.m., Galveston County Courthouse
  722 Moody, Galveston

• October 25, 11 a.m., Kemah Kids Fest
  800 Harris, Kemah
  

If a county resident is unable to attend any of the above mentioned functions, they may schedule to receive a flu shot by calling one of the District’s immunization clinics at: Texas City, (409) 949-3459; or Galveston, (409) 763-7227.