The Greene County public health department is encouraging influenza vaccines for all persons age 6 months and older before the end of October.
Local public health director Becky Wolf explains that influenza, commonly called “the flu”, is a respiratory virus that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization, or even death. It is a leading cause of pneumonia.
- Flu signs and symptoms usually come on suddenly:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Vomiting and diarrhea- more common in children.
According to Wolf, a new CDC study finds that among children ages 6 months through 17 years, flu vaccination reduced the risk of being hospitalized for flu by 41 percent and the risk of having a flu-related emergency department visit by half during the 2018-19 flu season.
On the Covid-19 front, Wolf reported that as of Oct. 18, there have been a total of 1,319 cases of Covid among county residents; 23 of those cases were reported in the past seven days. The 7-day test positivity rate is 6.0 percent, with a 14-day positivity rate of 5.7 percent. The level of community transmission is still HIGH per CDC guidelines.
Public health is awaiting final approval to provide additional doses of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines as boosters.
Both those brands of vaccines, along with the Pfizer vaccine, is available at vaccine clinics through early November. Influenza vaccines are also available.
A drive-through clinic will be held Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 4 to 7 pm at the Greene County Fairgrounds. Other clinics will be held at the public health department at Greene County Medical Center, Level B, Tuesdays Oct. 19, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 from 9 am to noon; and Thursdays, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4, from 1 to 4 pm.
Appointments are appreciated, but walk-ins (drive-ins) are accepted. Persons can call 515-386-3228 or register online at https://hipaa.jotform.com/203558336058156.
