By By SPIROS GALLOS / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Michigan Department of Community Health officials announced Wednesday that the order restricting the distribution of flu vaccine to individuals in high-risk groups would be lifted today.
But despite the order being lifted, individuals living in Berrien County not included in the high-risk groups will still have to wait approximately one week to receive their vaccinations.
Berrien County Health Department health promotions manager Becky Weberg said the Health Department will use vaccine recently acquired from Lakeland Regional Health System, several private physicians and the MDCH to vaccinate high-risk individuals first.
The Health Department will hold three clinics next week to ensure all high-risk individuals in the area are vaccinated before making the vaccine available to the general public.
The Health Department will not schedule the clinics for the general public until the high-risk clinics are completed and more vaccine can be acquired.
Weberg said while the newly acquired vaccine is welcome, it is less than what the Health Department anticipated it would receive.
The CDC created the guidelines for distribution flu vaccine when it was announced the United States would not receive 46 million doses of the vaccine - approximately 50 percent of the nation's supply - when British health officials shut down Chiron Corp., a major flu vaccine producer, in early October.
Individuals identified in the high-risk groups are individuals 65 years and older, 2 to 64 years old with chronic medical conditions, and infants 6 to 23 month old.
Since Oct. 25, the Berrien County Health Department has given 7,000 flu vaccinations to high-risk individuals living in the area.
High-risk clinics will be held Monday, at the Lake Michigan College Bertrand Crossing Campus, 1905 Foundation Drive, from 2 to 7 p.m, Dec. 16, at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center in Benton Harbor from 2 to 7 p.m., and the Berrien County Health Department in Three Oaks, by appointment only, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Additionally, the Health Department will also be vaccinating all women who will be pregnant during the influenza season, health care workers involved in direct "one-on-one" patient care, and out-of-home caregiver and household contacts of children under six months of age.
The clinics are a cooperative venture between the Berrien County Health Department and Lakeland Regional Health System. Lakeland has made staff members available for each of the three clinics.
Proof of age must be brought to the high-risk clinics for seniors 65 years and older and children 6 to 23 months old. A doctor's note or prescription must be brought for individuals with chronic medical conditions.
The flu vaccine will cost $15.00 per person. Medicare clients must bring their Medicare card with them for the vaccine to be covered.
Individuals not in the high-risk groups don't need to worry about not getting vaccinated during the influenza season, Weberg said. The Health Department has vaccinated individuals as late in the season as January and February.
Weberg said the Health Department hopes to vaccinate every individual in the area who wishes to get vaccinated.
Those wishing to get vaccinated can also contact private care physicians, who have also received additional doses of flu vaccine, Weberg said.
As always, healthy individuals are encouraged to follow the guidelines listed below to minimize their chances of catching the flu:
Cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, preferably with a tissue.
Wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing using soap and warm water or an alcohol-based cleaner.
Avoid exposing others to the flu by staying home if they become ill.