WellCommons

Conner Liakos, 8, waits for the stick of the needle from volunteer Nola Bienoff. The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department organized the drive-thru flu shot clinic Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, as part of a training exercise to test the community public health emergency response plans. Health department director Dan Partridge said he doesn't anticipate having a drive-thru clinic in 2012 due to costs. by Kevin Anderson

It’s not too late.

That’s the message that Kansas health officials are delivering this week to folks who have procrastinated about getting a flu shot.

Thousands of people already have been vaccinated this year in Douglas County. But Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department spokeswoman Lisa Horn is asking those who haven’t received one to get a shot now.

“That way, they will have immunity by the time Christmas rolls around when they are mingling with friends and family,” Horn said.

And the flu shot will provide protection later in the season, too, when flu activity is at its highest.

Here are some numbers to gauge how this year’s flu season is shaping up:

2,124

The number of people who have received flu shots from the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department since Sept. 1.

2,055

The number of people who received flu shots from the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department during the 2010-2011 flu season.

6

The number of clinics the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department held for flu vaccines this year.

2

The number of weeks it takes before a flu shot provides optimal protection.

46.2 percent

The vaccine coverage area the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported for Kansas residents during the 2010-2011 flu season.

200,000

The number of people in the United States hospitalized each year with flu complications, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

14

Number of Kansans who died from influenza during the 2010-11 flu season. The year before, 31 people died, according to KDHE.

5 to 20

The percent of population that contracts the flu yearly.

29

The number of states where sporadic influenza activity has been reported, according to the CDC’s weekly influenza surveillance report. Nearby states include Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas and Texas.

21

The number of states where no flu activity has been reported as of the Nov. 26 CDC report. Kansas is among those states.

6 months and older

Who the CDC recommends should get a flu shot.

$28

The cost of a flu shot at the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department for people 3 and older. Shots are available during regular clinic hours. For more information and to print out forms, go to www.ldchealth.org/flu.htm.

$23

The cost of a flu shot at the Lawrence Douglas County Health Department for people between the ages of 6 months and 35 months.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment will host a live Twitter chat about flu prevention from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday. You can follow @KDHE and search for the hashtag #KSflu, where you can get information about flu vaccines, prevention methods and symptoms.

Cold and flu season by kbritt

Here’s some advice that was provided in this month’s Wellness Words, a publication provided by Lawrence Memorial Hospital Community Education.

It also might convince you to get a flu shot — if you haven’t received one.

Symptoms for flu:

• Fever — usually.

• Headache — prominent.

• Body aches — may be severe.

• Weakness, fatigue — may last 2-3 weeks.

• Exhaustion — early, profound.

• Stuffy nose — sometimes.

• Sneezing — sometimes.

• Sore throat — sometimes.

• Cough, chest discomfort — common, may be severe.

Symptoms for cold:

• Fever — rare.

• Headache — rare.

• Body aches — slight.

• Weakness, fatigue — mild.

• Exhaustion — rare.

• Stuffy nose — common.

• Sneezing — Usual.

• Sore throat — common.

• Cough, chest discomfort — mild to moderate, hacking cough.

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses. Generally, the flu may make you feel worse than a cold.

It is important to seek medical advice if you think you have the flu and are in a medical at-risk group, or if symptoms are worsening. There are anti-viral drugs that a physician may prescribe for certain at-risk individuals, but these must be given early in the course of the illness.

In most cases, antibiotics are not appropriate for viral infections. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu.

Frequent hand washing and good health habits can help prevent transmission of both.

Nancy Reese, center, and her husband, Jim, stopped to get their flu shots from volunteer Barbara Schnitker Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, during Lawrence's first drive-through flu shot clinic. by Kevin Anderson

The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department board heard a report about the department’s first drive-through flu shot clinic on Monday evening.

Lisa Horn, communications coordinator, gave a report. She said:

• 402 people were vaccinated.

• 55 percent filled out consent forms before arriving at the clinic.

• The average time from entering the parking lot to leaving was 24 minutes.

• The average time it took people to get vaccinated was 3 minutes. That’s from the time the car pulled up to the vaccination station until the time it left.

It was a public health emergency training exercise for Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department staff, the Douglas County Medical Reserve Corps, and community volunteers.

The board also watched this fun video, where clinic volunteers and workers shared what their experiences were like on Saturday.

A few board members asked whether they could have handled more people. Partridge said that they would have to extend hours to do so. He said the eight vaccination stations were constantly busy, except for the last five minutes.

Last year, the department vaccinated about 1,300 people during a four-hour H1N1 clinic.

Board members also questioned Partridge about whether they’d provide a drive-through clinic again next year.

He wasn’t sure because the clinic cost about $4,000, and involved more than 70 volunteers and workers. Board members suggested the health department consider teaming up with a business or agency.

The clinics are open to KU students, faculty, staff, retirees and affiliates. The cost is $15 for flu shots and $20.50 for the nasal spray mist.

Clinics will be offered:

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday, Kansas Union.

• 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday, Anschutz Library.

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Thursday, Strong Hall.

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 26, Burge Union.

• noon-2 p.m. Oct. 27, School of Pharmacy building.

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 28, the Underground, Wescoe Hall.

• noon-2 p.m., Nov. 2, Nichols Hall. • 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 3, Strong Hall.

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nov. 4, Anschutz Library.

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nov. 9, the Underground, Wescoe Hall.

• 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 10, Kansas Union.

• 2-6 p.m., Nov. 11, Watkins Memorial Health Center.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine.

For more information, visit www.studenthealth.ku.edu.

Volunteer Tiffany Belland, a student in Kansas University's School of Pharmacy, gets a flu shot ready during a drive-thru flu shot clinic in 2010 at KU's Park and Ride Lot, Clinton Parkway and Iowa Street. by Kevin Anderson

Four hundred and two people got a free flu shot Saturday morning during Lawrence’s first drive-through vaccination clinic.

Forty cars were waiting in line when the clinic opened at 8:45 a.m. — 15 minutes earlier than scheduled — in Kansas University’s Park and Ride Lot at the northwest corner of Clinton Parkway and Iowa Street.

There were about 70 people who volunteered or worked during the clinic, which ended at 10:30 a.m. It was a public health emergency training exercise for Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department staff, the Douglas County Medical Reserve Corps, and community volunteers.

Health department director Dan Partridge thought the training exercise ran smoothly.

“I was just gauging how many people were smiling and I thought there were far more smiles than frowns. So, I think it went well,” he said.

Nancy Reese, center, and her husband, Jim, stopped to get their flu shots from volunteer Barbara Schnitker Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, during Lawrence's first drive-through flu shot clinic. by Kevin Anderson

Drivers are directed to stalls this morning during a drive-through flu shot clinic at Kansas University's Park and Ride Lot. The flu shots were free because the clinic served as a public health emergency training exercise for Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department staff, the Douglas County Medical Reserve Corps, and community volunteers. by Kevin Anderson

Driver Tena Santaularia, Lawrence, received an "I was brave" sticker after getting a flu shot Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, at a drive-through clinic at the Kansas University's Park and Ride Lots. by Kevin Anderson

Drivers made their way through a maze of traffic safety cones. Along the way, they stopped at a station where vaccine consent forms were checked.

Then they drove up and parked next to one of eight vaccination stations. The vaccinators took their consent forms, and the participants rolled up their sleeves, got a flu shot, and drove off. For those who needed extra assistance, like terrified children or the developmentally disabled, there were chairs to sit on at each station.

David Nelson, Lawrence, and his wife, Sherry, waited about 20 minutes to get their flu shots, but they didn’t mind.

“I am in my car,” he said, laughing. “I am a big fan of drive-ins. I love this.”

The 60-somethings described the clinic as well organized.

The longest wait was about 35 minutes. By 10:15 a.m., there was no line.

James Wisler Sr., Lawrence, and his 3-year-old son James Wisler Jr., enjoyed the nice weather during their 25-minute wait in a convertible.

“It’s organized, well-planned,” Wisler Sr. said. “I am really happy about it.”

However, his son, who was in the back seat, didn’t seem too thrilled, especially after getting poked. A worker gave him a sticker that said, “I just got a shot — hero,” but that didn’t cheer him up or stop the tears.

Partridge said he was a little disappointed in the turnout. They were planning for about 1,000 people.

“We had great weather, maybe too perfect,” he said.

Partridge estimated the clinic cost $4,000, so he wasn’t sure if they would offer it again next year.

Sixth-year Kansas University pharmacy student, Andy Fikan, Atwood, Kan., administers a flu shot to Andrew Garcia, 80, Lawrence, during a flu clinic organized by Walgreens and the Kansas University School of Pharmacy, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, at the Lawrence Senior Center, 745 Vt. Local health professionals are encouraging anyone 6 months and older to get a flu shot this year. by Nick Krug

Anyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot.

This year’s recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are that simple.

“We want everyone to get their flu shot as soon as they find the opportunity to get it done,” said Kathy Colson, registered nurse and immunization team leader with the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department. “There’s been absolutely no talk of shortages. There seems to be a ton of vaccine out there.”

This year’s vaccine protects against three common flu viruses, including H1N1, which caused a pandemic last year.

Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips, state health officer, said the United States likely will not see the widespread, out-of-season outbreaks like last year. But, he said, the H1N1 strain is still active.

He said the best gauge for the upcoming season is to look at what’s going on in the southern hemisphere, where it is flu season.

“We are going back to the pre-pandemic mixed pattern, but we have this new kid on the block who’s still able to cause a lot of disease.”

In New Zealand, he said, there are areas that were spared from H1N1 last year, but that are having pretty intense activity this year.

“So, clearly, the people who didn’t get it the first time are at risk of getting it this time around, if the same pattern holds in the northern hemisphere, four or five months from now,” Eberhart-Phillips said.

The flu season here is typically October through April, and it peaks in January and February.

Still, health professionals advise people to get a vaccine as soon as possible. The vaccine will last through the season. It takes about two weeks to build up immunity to the strains in the vaccine.

“It’s the best protection that we’ve got. It’s a relatively small price to pay — if you are paying anything for it — compared to the cost of a few days of misery at home away from work and away from doing the things that you like to do,” Eberhart-Phillips said.

Many retail pharmacies such as Walgreens, Dillons and Sigler Pharmacy are offering them. A new state law allows pharmacists to give flu shots to anyone 6 years old and older. Before, 18 was the age limit. For children 5 years old and younger, they need to get the vaccine from their health care provider.

“We are certainly trying to increase our business,” said Pat Hubbell, co-owner of Sigler Pharmacy. “And it’s another way to get folks vaccinated.”

Hubbell has given only a handful so far this year, but he anticipates the demand will pick up. Last year, the two pharmacies provided 2,500 flu shots.

Colson urges people to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

“If you’ve ever had the flu, you will know that you don’t want to go through that again. It is a respiratory illness. It can be quite deadly to the very old or the very young,” she said. “It’s not just you that you have to think about. It’s all the people around you and who you affect.”

The health department expects to get shipments of the vaccine in a couple of weeks. It will have a community clinic in Baldwin, Eudora and Lawrence, but the dates haven’t been set. It expects the cost to be $28, but the health department doesn’t turn anyone away for inability to pay.