DHEC clinics offer flu vaccine in area

High fever, sore throat, dry cough, fatigue and muscle aches all come from the flu bug's sting, but vaccination clinics are now set to prevent those outcomes for T&D Region residents.

Public health departments in the Edisto Savannah Public Health District Region 5 area - including those in Orangeburg, Bamberg, Calhoun and Barnwell counties - have now begun administering vaccinations for the highly infectious virus.

The nation's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention touts the flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against the virus.

"The CDC does not expect any kind of shortage at all. We got our vaccine supply early this year, so we already have some in stock," said Jodie Miller, immunization coordinator for the Edisto Savannah Public Health District.

Groups recommended to receive flu shots are: adults 50 years of age and older; all children 6 months to 18 years old; pregnant women; people of any age with chronic health problems like asthma, heart disease or a weakened immune system; health workers; and caregivers to the high-risk including babies younger than 6 months old.

"All of our clinics are going to be by appointment only," Miller said. "There is a $25 administration fee for adults. There will be a $13 administration fee for children eligible under the South Carolina Vaccines for Children program."

Individuals 18 years of age and younger who meet at least one of the following categories are eligible to receive VFC vaccines: uninsured; enrolled in or eligible for Medicaid; American Indian or Alaskan Native; and underinsured. The underinsured category applies only to federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics and DHEC clinics.

"The flu vaccine which DHEC clinics in Region 5 will have for children this year is funded by the VFC program and can only be given to children who meet the eligibility requirements for the program," Miller said. "If a child is insured, they should really go to their medical home or possibly some other vendors such as drugstores."

She said adults coming to the health department for a vaccine will only be administered inactivated flu vaccine - the standard flu shot - this year. Children will be offered both the needle shot or MedImmune's FluMist. FluMist nasal spray is available for people ages 2 to 49 who are healthy, with no underlying health conditions, and are not pregnant. Unlike flu shots that are made with killed flu virus, FluMist is made with live, but weakened, virus.

"We are actively encouraging people to get vaccinated against the flu," said Drew Gerald, disease surveillance and response coordinator at the Orangeburg County Health Department. "Unlike the common cold, symptoms come on suddenly and are usually marked by high fever, headache and muscle aches. Occasionally, you can have gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, nausea and diarrhea."

He said coughing and sneezing into your sleeve or tissue instead of your hand, washing hands thoroughly and often, and staying home when you are sick are some of the simplest ways individuals can help prevent the spread of flu.