Thousands of flu shots administered
By Noel Lyn Smith
Navajo Times
WINDOW ROCK, Oct. 8, 2009
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(Special to the Times - Donovan Quintero)
Dr. Thomas Reese from the Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock administers the flu shot to Blaine Irwin while Kaylin Irwin, 2, and Jerome Irwin, 8, all from Newcomb, N.M., watch fearfully Wednesday at Newcomb High School.
People from across the Navajo Nation took advantage of this year's seasonal flu shot day on Wednesday.
More than 13,000 seasonal flu shots were administered at 20 locations on and near the Navajo Nation as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday during the mass vaccination.
That total includes 3,106 flu shots given by the Tuba City Service Unit while the Gallup Service Unit gave 2,210 shots, the Kayenta Service Unit provided 1,713 shots, Fort Defiance Service Unit provided 1,497 shots and 1,380 shots were given by Sage Memorial Hospital, according to a press release from the Navajo Area IHS.
The vaccination sites at Chinle High School and at Tuba City High School closed early after depleting their vaccine supplies.
"Overall the process was very well, the whole process went smoothly," said Michelle Johnson, public information officer for the Chinle site.
The Chinle site, as well as others, was a cooperative effort between the hospital staff, Navajo Nation staff and community health representatives.
There are two major flu strains this year but Wednesday's event was only for the seasonal flu.
"In addition to the seasonal flu shot, some people should also receive the novel H1N1 flu vaccine later this year," said Dr. Douglas Peter, chief medical officer for the Navajo Area IHS, in a press release.
Jenny Notah, public information officer for the Navajo Area IHS, said the next event is administering the H1N1 flu vaccine when it becomes available.
"It's unlikely it will be done in a mass vaccination like the one done today," Notah said.
Facilities have also received more supplies of the seasonal flu vaccine and patients can check with their health care provider to receive their vaccination, she said.
In Fort Defiance, the parking lot at the Window Rock High fieldhouse was packed and a steady flow of people was seen entering and exiting the building.
Ollie and Cheryl Franklin left the building with smiles on their faces after receiving their shots.
"It's important because I have diabetes and I don't want to get sick," Cheryl said.
Ollie said this was the first time he received a flu shot since the couple moved to Navajo, N.M., in 2006.
"Since I brought my wife I thought I'd get one too," he said.
Health officials encourage individuals who are part of the high-risk population to get their seasonal flu shot.
This population includes children from six months to 18 years, women who are pregnant, people over 50, people with chronic medical conditions, nursing home residents or residents of other long term facilities, and caregivers for those who are at high risk for flu complications or who provide care for children less than six months old.
Health officials also advise people to frequently wash their hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
Other preventive measures are coughing into the inside of the arm and not into the hands, avoiding close contact with sick people, keeping away from others to avoid making others sick, eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of rest.
If a person is sick with flu-like illness, they should stay at home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities.
Flu signs and symptoms may include high fever, dry cough, headache, extreme tiredness, sore throat, muscle aches, runny or stuffy nose, and in some cases, diarrhea.
People who are feeling sick with flu-like symptoms should rest and stay home from work, school or public places.
The flu shot clinics were sponsored by the Navajo Area IHS, the Navajo Nation, Tuba City Regional Health Corporation, Winslow Indian Health Center Inc., Sage Memorial Hospital, McKinley County and other health care partners in the region.
