01/31/14 The Marshall County Health Department is urging residents to be sure and get their children immunized against the flu even at this stage of the season.
Health Department Nurse Susan Lechlitner points to the number of deaths caused to young people so far this year – not very far away.
“I heard Shawn Richards (State Health Department specialist in upper respiratory epidemiology) talking on television the other day and she said that of the 12 confirmed deaths in the state caused by the flu this year six of them have been in St. Joe county,” said Lechlitner. “They were normal healthy people in their 20’s. Three of those deaths are confirmed H1N1 cases. That component of this particular vaccine is very important.”
The Marshall County Health Department is offering flu shots for children six months through 18 years old that are VFC (Vaccines for Children) program eligible. You must make an appointment by calling the Health Department at 574-935-8565 and there is an $8 administration charge for the shot. Medicaid is accepted and will cover the cost of the shot.
“If you can’t pay we won’t turn you away,” said Lechlitner. “The important thing is to get your children immunized. If we can keep kids from getting this and taking it to school and giving it to their parents it makes a big difference in stopping the spread of the flu.”
