News Release
For Immediate Release: January 6, 2010
Contact Person: Diane Lee, PIO, 301-334-7730
Garrett County Health Department
Continues Vaccination Clinics
The Garrett County Health Department has scheduled a series of vaccination clinics during January to protect the population against the H1N1 flu, seasonal flu, and the shingles virus. The H1N1 flu vaccine is free and is now available to anyone who wants to be vaccinated. The shingles vaccine is also free, and is recommended for healthy persons who are 60 years of age and older. The seasonal flu vaccine is available to everyone at a cost of $25.
A combined walk-in clinic for both H1N1 flu and shingles vaccinations is scheduled for the Oakland office on Saturday, January 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, appointments for shingles vaccinations are also being scheduled. More information about shingles is available at the end of this article.
At the Oakland office H1N1 Flu vaccinations will be available during a walk-in clinic on Thursday, January 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and also by appointment from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on January 13, 19, 21, and 27.
At the Grantsville office H1N1 Flu vaccinations will be available during the walk-in clinic on Saturday, January 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Additional seasonal flu vaccine has been received and will be available at a walk-in clinic at the Oakland office on Wednesday, January 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The seasonal flu vaccine will also be available at the Grantsville office by appointment only on Friday, January 15, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Shingles, which is also know as Herpes Zoster, is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Only someone who has had a case of chickenpox, or has gotten the Chickenpox vaccine can get shingles. Once the virus is in a person's body the virus may reappear years later to cause a case of shingles. Although shingles can not be spread from person to person, it is possible for someone who has never had chickenpox to get chickenpox from contact with shingles.
Shingles is a painful skin rash, often associated with blisters, which usually appears on one side of the face or body, and lasts from 2 to 4 weeks. Although pain is the main symptom, the person may also experience a fever, headache, chills, and an upset stomach. In very rare cases, serious complications such as pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation, or death may occur.
Shingles is more common in people 50 years old or older, and in people with a weakened immune system. The vaccine is recommended for healthy persons who are 60 years of age and older. If a person has had an outbreak of shingles it is suggested that he/she wait 4-6 months before receiving the vaccine. The vaccine is not recommended for anyone with a weakened immune system.
Local clinic information is available at the Health Department's website at www.garretthealth.org or the Flu Information Line at 301-334-7697 or 301-895-3113. For appointments for any of the vaccinations call 301-334-7770 or 301-895-3111.