Hopkins County residents of all ages lined-up on Friday afternoon at Guaranty Bond Bank
to receive flu shots (regular), as a community service project.

 

"The Low-Down" On the Flu

 

by: Bobby McDonald

Note: With everyone concerned about swine flu and the regular flu, that seems to be running rampant in our community, we interviewed Dr. I.L. Balkcom to get facts for you to consider. Thanks to Dr. Balkcom helping us with understanding the various kinds of flu symptoms and who should be vaccinated.

Many local schools have closed classes to break the cycle of illnesses that has plagued the classrooms, this autumn, and everytime you hear a news story, there is a report of someone else that has taken the flu, with some illnesses resulting in death.

According to Dr. I.L. Balkcom, most of those cases of death are result of other health related issues. "The people with low resistance, young children, and pregnant women are the most at risk," advised Dr. Balkcom. "We are anticipating the first H1N1 shots to be in Hopkins County on October 15th. They will be delivered to schools, the local Health Department, and doctor's offices in the community!"

Texas has ordered over 3 million H1N1 flu shots, but is likely to get only about 1.7 million of those ordered.

 

Craig Roberts, President of Guaranty Bond Bank, gets his regular flu innoculation, at the
service hosted at the bank on Friday afternoon.

 

 

"Recommendations are for the shots to be given to young children, 4-5 years old, first," continued Balkom. "Then, they should be given to pregnant women, the compromised elderly, and then all the rest of us!"

The original shipment of H1N1 vaccine in Hopkins County is expected to be in the "nasal" form and will be given as a nasal spray, a "live" virus. However, these dosages are not to be taken by pregnant women. They must receive the shot vaccine.

The cost of the H1N1 Flu vaccine will be minimal, if not free. "The government is 'picking up the tab' for these vaccines, in hopes of getting everyone vaccinated," advised Balkcom. "No one is to be 'turned away' because of lack of financial means."

According to Balkcom, the reason that those in their middle-age years are not as highly at risk for the H1N1 virus, is that there was an outbreak of Swine Flu, in 1975-76, that likely helped this age group of people build up an immunity to the disease.

 

 

"We also have a very good supply of regular flu shots and are encouraging people to get those as well," continued Dr. Balkcom. "It is relatively inexpensive to get the shot and is noted to prevent the disease in people of all ages!"

There have been some reported side-affects from the regular flu shot vaccine (namely a post flu shot condition known as Guillain-Bare Syndrome) but this is extremely rare.

Middle-aged people are more likely to get the regular flu than the H1N1 strain of the flu, because of the noted immunity they have from the previous outbreak. So, taking the regular flu shot is something that everyone should consider doing.

"We want everyone to use basic caution, adhere to the things that are known to prevent the spread of the disease, and consult their doctor if flu-like symptoms exist," warned Balkcom. "We have a good supply of TAMA-Flu tablets and we encourage everyone to wash their hand, wash their hands, and re-wash their hands!"

"Basic sanitation and making certain that you don't expose yourself anymore than necessary, is just cautionary steps that everyone should take!" recommended Balkcom.

 

And, it really didn't hurt him! He was only demonstrating to others, just how easy it was
to get the shot, and making fun!

 

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