Wednesday, October 14, 2009 | Contact: Jerome Garner, Health Education Specialist 252-459-1547
http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/firefighters-given-flu-vaccine-898974.html
Firefighters given flu vaccine
By Geoffrey Cooper | Rocky Mount Telegram | Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Nash County health officials began the first round of H1N1 vaccination Wednesday.
Rocky Mount firefighters were among of the first county “medical providers” that had the opportunity to receive the H1N1 FluMist. Health officials started at headquarters on George Street and visited all city firehouses to administer FluMist to firefighters and emergency medical technicians during their shifts.
Vaccinations are on a voluntary basis, and more than 125 fire officials are eligible for the FluMist until Friday.
Five hundred doses of the FluMist were delivered to the county’s health department last week. Preparedness coordinator Lisa Renfrow said the preventive measures are part of a county wide pandemic flu plan.
Based on guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health officials started vaccinating its staff, county emergency medical service and first responders this week.
Some of the firefighters who volunteered said the spray left a tingling sensation in their noses. But they said it was necessary.
“This measure is real high on our priority list,” Battilion Chief Jamey Moss said. “These men come in
contact with so many people everyday. We just want to be sure none of them are taking anything hazardous home to their families.”
Residents can receive the nasal spray vaccination from 9 a.m. to noon today and from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday at the county health department office in Nashville. These walk-in clinics do not require an appointment.
The Health Department only is providing the FluMist to children and young adults ages 2 to 24 years old and healthy residents under 50 years old who live with or take care of children under the age of 6 months.
Renfrow said the health department expects the next vaccine shipment to come in an injectable version.
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