Flu clinic draws big crowd

Two hundred and seventy-four people received flu shots Wednesday and the county health nurse had to close the door a little early at the Libby Senior Citizens Center.

The first of five flu and pneumonia clinics sponsored by the Lincoln County Health Nurse was ³wall-to-wall² people early in the morning, said one worker. ³They were lined up outside at 7:30 this morning.²

Shortly after 1:30 a.m., the decision was made to close the door so that shots could be administered to the crowd waiting inside.

³We were overwhelmed but not overrun,² said Sandy Jackson, the county bio-terrorism and contagious disease coordinator.

In addition to the flu vaccinations, the health nurse inoculated 300 people with pneumonia vaccine.

³We made sure we set aside some vaccine for the Troy clinic and for next week,² Jackson said.

³We¹re definitely going to continue with the high risk restrictions and hopefully we can find some more vaccine for other people,² she said.

Last week, it was learned that half of the U.S. flu vaccine supply would

not be available. It prompted action by the federal agency and state health officials to halt flu vaccine clinics and evaluate supplies on hand. It was then decided to continue with scheduled vaccination clinics but to only administer the immunizations to high risk individuals.

The vaccine will be available for people 65 years and older, people living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, people with chronic heart or lung conditions, people with metabolic disease, kidney disease or a weakened immune system, children 6 months to 18 years old who are on long-term aspirin therapy, women who are or will be pregnant and all children 6-23 months.

The upcoming flu and pneumonia clinics, their location and times are:

• Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Libby Senior Citizen Center;

• Wednesday, Oct. 27, from 1-4 p.m. at Troy Senior Citizen Center;

• Wednesday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Libby Senior citizen Center;

• Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 1-4 p.m. at Troy Senior Citizen Center.

Jackson said they are hoping additional vaccine becomes available in the area through Libby Clinic and Connie Boyd at Medicine Tree Clinic in Troy.

All of the scheduled county nurse clinics are walk-in. No appointments are necessary. The health nurse bills Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance.

Flu and pneumonia shots will be given by appointment at the office at 418 Main in Libby. Call 293-2660 for an appointment.