Preparing for Flu: Health Officials Will Offer Early Flu Vaccinations

Oct 08, 08:42 AM

Current Headlines: By Nora Froeschle, Tulsa World, Okla.

Oct. 8--Health experts are concerned that flu season may arrive earlier than usual this year as it did in Hawaii, where three school children contracted the illness in August.

The children, all students at a private school on Oahu, tested positive for influenza A infection, according to the state's health department.

No cases of flu have been reported this year in Tulsa County, but free vaccinations from the health department may arrive earlier than last year anyway, said Melanie Christian, spokeswoman for the Tulsa County Health Department.

"We're going to start Oct. 22; that's much earlier than we usually do," she said.

The disease is somewhat misunderstood by the public, and flu numbers are hard to track officially, Christian said.

"Because a lot of times, doctors don't test for it, and the test isn't that conclusive," she said. "What we do know is that in Tulsa County, death from influenza is the eighth-leading cause of death."

Tests are not routinely done to identify influenza because the treatment for it is the same as any other virus, she said.

Symptoms of the flu include runny nose, coughing, sneezing, fever and body aches, although such symptoms often are the result of a much less serious illness.

"Some people I hear say, 'I got the flu, and I was off work for two days,' but if you get the flu, you're going to be off work sometimes for two and three weeks," said Candy Lawrence, clinical nurse supervisor for the Visiting Nurse Association clinic at the Fontana Shopping Center, 51st Street and Memorial Drive.

Shots at the clinic, which is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, cost $28 for adults and children.

Lawrence said this year, the organization is targeting the usual vulnerable population -- children and the elderly -- and also the middle-aged population.

"The biggest thing they're targeting this year is to target the middle- aged people who say, 'I don't ever get the flu,' " she said.

Christian said the people first in line to get the shot are the ones who have had the flu.

The department expects to give 20,000 to 25,000 shots this season, which will peak in February or March.

"Make sure you get it in time so your body has time to build up those antibodies," Lawrence said.

The vaccination, which also can be given as a nasal mist to people ages 5 to 49 who do have underlying health conditions, takes 10 to 14 days to be fully effective.

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Nora Froeschle 581-8310 nora.froeschle@tulsaworld.com

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Flu clinics set up around the city

On Nov. 3, the Tulsa Health Department will offer two special clinics:

Drive-through clinic for adults 18 and older, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Oral Roberts University Mabee Center, 7777 S. Lewis Ave.

Walk-through clinic for individuals 6 months and older, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tulsa Community College West Campus, 7505 W. 41st St.

Beginning Oct. 22, the Tulsa Health Department will offer free flu vaccinations to individuals older than six months on a walk-in basis at the following locations:

Central Regional Health Center 315 S. Utica Ave.

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday

8 to 11 a.m. Friday

Expo Square Health Center

4616 East 15th St.

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday

8 to 11 a.m. Friday

James O. Goodwin Health Center

5051 S. 129th East Ave.

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday

8 to 11 a.m. Friday

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