Flu season here, vaccines plentiful

Although the worst of the season may yet be ahead, area health care providers say the influenza season is here.

The good news, they say, is that for the first time in three years there is plenty of flu vaccine to go around for those who want it.

Kay Hall, the nursing director for the Warren County Health Department, said the flu season typically runs from October through March.

Brenda Hudson, with the Halifax County Health Department, said during that period there are typically two separate waves when it strikes most of its victims.

“There’s typically a small level of activity early, where we see an increase in the cases,” she said. That wave can occur anywhere from October through January. “Then you will see that second wave, and that usually occurs anywhere from mid January to mid March.

“That’s why we encourage people to take that flu shot right on through the flu season. You can get it (the vaccination) now, but you can still take it as late as mid-January.”

Influenza is a viral infection that causes fever, general but more severe cold symptoms, and body aches.

“The symptoms come on quickly,” Hall said. If anyone is suffering from such symptoms, she said you should call your doctor soon.

“When you call, you should tell them you are having flu-like symptoms,” she said. Because it is viral in nature, antibiotics do not work on the sickness, but she said there are some medications, if taken early on, that can lessen the severity of the sickness.

Both women said that is why the vaccination is important, to prevent contracting the condition.

Hudson said that is particularly important for certain people. “The people at risk are people who are over 50, or who have medical conditions like diabetes and asthma, and pregnant women, all persons with an immuno-depressed condition.”

The fear with the flu, they said, is that if it worsens, pneumonia can result, and that can be life-threatening for some people.

Two years ago there was a nationwide shortage of flu vaccine, and last year, despite assurances from health care officials, supplies ran short again.

That won’t happen this year, officials say.

“We have got so much supply this year, it’s wonderful,” Hudson said. “There is more than enough, and the reason being, that this year we have more manufacturers making it. In years past, not only did we have a flu season with a lot of flu activity … and those were the years we did not have enough vaccine.”

“They have also distributed the vaccines,” Hall said. “Last year and the year before they sent part of the order, then sent more later. This year, most people got their entire order at one time.”

Henry Robertson, a spokesman for Halifax Regional Healthcare Center, said the hospital has plenty of vaccine on hand for its patients this year. He said. patients staying at the hospital are typically vaccinated to prevent them from picking up, or spreading, the influenza virus while a patient there.

He said people in the community wanting to get a flu vaccination from the hospital should not come there, but instead should contact the hospital’s outreach arm, HealthLink, at Becker Village Mall. He said the officials there have already had several flu vaccination clinics, and another one is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 7:30 a.m. until noon.

“They do not have the ability to file for insurance, but they will be offering the vaccinations for $30,” he said.

In Littleton, the Littleton Pharmacy has held one flu vaccination clinic and plans another one for Dec. 3.

Both the Halifax County and Warren County health departments offer the vaccinations for $30.

Hudson said they are offered every day from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the office in Halifax, and that Medicare covers the cost for users of that service.

Hall said the Warren County department offers the vaccinations from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. every Friday.