More H1N1 vaccines are available

By Angie Thompson, Senior Reporter

TIFTON — The Tift County Health Department received another 100 injectable H1N1, or swine flu, vaccines Tuesday afternoon. The health department is staying open until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays — as long as the vaccines are available.

There is no cost to receive the vaccine at the health department, which has already administered 850 doses of the nasal spray version of H1N1 and 500 of the injectable version. Some of the vaccines were distributed to private physicians for their administration.

Tracy Mullis, nurse manager of the Tift County Health Department, said pregnant women, people who have or care for children under six months of age, anyone six months to 24 years of age and anyone 25 to 64 years of age with certain chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system should get the shots.

The injectable H1N1 vaccine started becoming available to health departments throughout the South Health District in early November.

The H1N1 shot was made just like the seasonal flu vaccine and is expected to be safe and effective. It won’t, however, prevent anyone from getting sick from the seasonal flu or other illnesses with flu-like symptoms. People are advised to get both vaccines this year.

The H1N1 virus spreads from person to person through coughing, sneezing and sometimes through touching objects contaminated with the virus, just like other flu viruses. Signs of the 2009 H1N1 virus can include fatigue, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, chills, coughing and sneezing. Some people may also have diarrhea and vomiting. According to the CDC most people feel better within a week, while others have to be hospitalized due to complications such as pneumonia.

To learn more about H1N1 or if you should get the vaccine call your local health care provider, local health department or South Health District at 333-5370. Vaccine information sheets are available at www.southhealthdistrict.com or www.cdc.gov. A full list of providers in Tift County and other counties in the South Health District are also available online at www.southhealthdistrict.com.

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.

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