Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Marvin Haug of Bushnell takes his flu shot in stride from Pennie Anderson, RN, at the Kimball Health Services drive-thru flu clinic Saturday at the former West Elementary School. Approximately 300 local participants took part in last Saturday’s flu clinic, hosted by Kimball Health Services.
Getting the flu vaccine was no big deal for about 300 participants at Saturday’s Kimball Health Services’ flu clinic at the former West Elementary School building.
In fact, it was one of the best turnouts in years for the annual community flu clinic, held just in time for the traditional start of flu season. Participants either rolled up their sleeve and were vaccinated through their car window on the south end of the building, or parked and walked for a shot in one of the former classrooms.
“We feel like we got a great head start in preventing some nasty flu symptoms,” said Pennie Anderson, RN, community health nurse at Kimball Health Services. “We got a lot of comments from people who said they were glad we’re doing it.”
Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious viral disease that affects the respiratory system and enters the body through mouth, nose and eyes. Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, chills, coughing, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue and a runny or stuffy nose.
Flu cases occur year-round, but they typically pick up in October. Flu season can extend into May.
Anyone six months or older should get the flu vaccine, Anderson said, and caregivers of very young children who cannot be vaccinated should also make sure adults around the children are vaccinated.
Anderson said some people are at greater risk of complications because of flu including very young children, older people, people with asthma, heart and lung diseases and diabetes. Pregnant women should also make sure they are vaccinated.
Anderson said the hospital is working harder to get the vaccine out in the workplace, and several Kimball businesses are covering the $20 cost of the shot as a convenience to their employees and to help reduce flu-related absences.
Last week, KHS staff vaccinated 63 staff at GRI and 39 at Clean Harbors. Flu shots will be offered at FirsTier Bank and the Friendship Senior Center later this week.
Those who missed Saturday’s clinic or a workplace event can still get a flu shot by calling the Kimball Health Services Clinic at (308) 235-1966.
It takes about two weeks from the time of the vaccine to get the full antibody protection, “So don’t wait until you hear that it’s widespread,” Anderson said.
