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2010 Flu Shots Start Sept. 23




The annual countywide flu vaccination campaign begins Thursday, Sept. 23,.

The first vaccinations will be ginven at the Fulton County Health Department office, 606 S. Shoop Ave., Wauseon.

Injections or FluMist vaccines are available. No one will be refused for an inability to pay.

Health experts monitor the many types of flu that occur around the world, to determine which three viruses to vaccinate against.

Michael P. Oricko, Fulton County health commissioner, said this year’s flu shot includes vaccines for A/ H1N1 pandemic influenza, A/H3N2, and influenza B.

While many illnesses are called “the flu,” influenza symptoms include fever, chills, and upper respiratory congestion with cough, body aches, and fatigue. Most last only a few days.

For some persons, it can be serious, even deadly.

Thousands of people in the United States die each year from the seasonal flu and its complications.

Who To Immunize

Oricko and the advisory committee for immunization practices recommend everyone older than six months should be vaccinated each year.

For some, the risk of contracting influenza and its complications makes vaccination especially important.

At risk: •Persons 50 and above •Pregnant women

•Children under five

•Those who care for infants under six months

•Persons with chronic debilitating diseases: diabetes, asthma, kidney, lung, heart, and/or immune-system disorders

•Health care providers who work with any of the above.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rec- ommend vaccination as soon as vaccine is available. It takes about two weeks for protection.

Flu activity in the United States generally peaks between late December and early March.

The Mist

The Health Department also is offering an alternative to the immunization vaccination shot. FluMist, an intranasal vaccine, is available to healthy individuals 2 through 49.


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