Flu clinics opening doors early
By ELENA GRIMM - egrimm@daily-chronicle.com
The regular flu season coupled with a resurgence of the H1N1 virus has health officials urging everyone to get a flu shot as soon as it becomes available.
The seasonal influenza vaccine arrived at several pharmacies and other health care agencies in DeKalb County this week.
Area locations of Walgreens, Jewel-Osco and Lehan Drugs have already started administering shots, along with Northern Illinois University's health services center.
The DeKalb County Health Department also received a shipment and will hold its first flu clinic on Thursday, about a month earlier than usual.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is projecting up to 115 million doses will be made this year, an ample supply. And the government is recommending urgency in getting people immunized.
"This year, the CDC is encouraging everybody – as soon as they get their vaccine – to start giving it so we can be through the seasonal flu vaccine by the time the H1N1 [vaccine] comes out," said Karen Grush, DeKalb County Health Department administrator.
The vaccine for H1N1, commonly referred to as swine flu, should be available mid- to late October, and is separate from the seasonal flu vaccine.
"People are ready to start getting them," Lehan Drugs owner and pharmacist Tim Lehan said of the regular flu shot. The drug store was busy on Wednesday, vaccinating 60 people on the first day the shot was offered.
Though anyone who wishes to avoid the flu can be vaccinated, the CDC strongly recommends it for people who run a high risk for complications from the flu – including the elderly, children, pregnant women, the chronically ill, health care workers, caregivers, and those in longterm care facilities.
Each year, about 36,000 Americans die and 200,000 are hospitalized because of the flu.
The CDC says that getting the vaccine can reduce the chances of getting the flu by 70 percent to 90 percent in healthy adults. Though the vaccine is not 100-percent effective in preventing the flu, it can reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent serious complications and death.
Grush said the county health department is aware of people with flu-like symptoms, though it's no different at this point than in past years.
"Based on how it's presented itself up until now, it is very similar to the regular seasonal flu," she said. "For the clear majority of the people, it'll be a mild illness; however, it can be very serious for those in high-risk categories."
The county has ordered 3,000 doses, the same amount as in past years.
H1N1 vaccine still in testing stages
The CDC is still developing a vaccine for H1N1 flu, which is separate from the seasonal flu vaccine. Officials say that the vaccine may be shipped starting in mid-October, but Lehan believes that even late October or early November is optimistic.
Originally expected to be given in two rounds, health officials now say, after clinical trials, that one shot should be effective.
Initially, a limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine will be made available, with the first batch going to hospitals, health departments and doctors who treat target groups, such as children and pregnant women.
The Illinois Department of Public Health determines what providers around the state will receive H1N1 vaccine, and had providers register online to get on the list.
When the county health department knows how much it will be receiving, the department will determine how to distribute it among high-risk groups – which are different than those who have priority in getting the seasonal flu vaccine, with some overlap, Grush said.
As the vaccine becomes more available, those not in the priority groups will be able to get it, she said.
Because the H1N1 virus appears to be affecting younger people, including college-aged students not used to getting a flu shot or suffering a severe bout of the flu, vaccines will be available at the NIU's health services center when ready, school officials said earlier this week.
Flu shots
DeKalb County Health Department
When: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays starting Sept. 17 for adults 19 and older; 8:30-4 p.m. Thursdays starting Oct. 1 for children 6 months through 18 years. Clinic is open until 6 p.m. on Sept. 24 and Oct. 8. No appointment is necessary.
Cost: $37; Medicare and Medicaid will be billed with proper card and identification.
Resource Bank in Genoa
When: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 2. No pediatric flu shots.
Cost: $37; Medicare and Medicaid will be billed with proper card and identification.
Fox Valley Older Adult Center in Sandwich
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 5. No pediatric flu shots.
Cost: $37; Medicare and Medicaid will be billed with proper card and identification.
DeKalb Senior Services Center
When: 10:30 a.m. Oct. 7
Cost: Call the center at 815-758-4718 for cost, availability and insurance coverage.
NIU Health Services
When: Now available 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday for students on a walk-in basis
Cost: $20
Home Bound Healthcare in Sycamore
When: By appointment at eligible senior's home by calling 815-895-9898. Also available at Home Bound office after Oct. 1.
Cost: $25; Medicare can be billed.
Walgreens in DeKalb, Sandwich and Sycamore
When: Now available 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
Cost: $24.99
Wal-Mart in DeKalb
When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 30, Oct. 1, Oct. 19 and Oct. 20
Cost: $28
Eggleston's in Sycamore
When: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 1
Cost: $35, can bill insurance
Eggleston's in Genoa
When: Information not yet available
Jewel-Osco in DeKalb
When: Now available 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
Cost: $24.99
Jewel-Osco in Sycamore
When: Now available, call 815-895-9435 for hours
Cost: $24.99
Lehan Drugs – South Fourth Street Location
When: Now available 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Cost: $35; Medicare can be billed
Lehan Drugs – DeKalb Clinic Location
When: Starting Sept. 24, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday
Cost: $35
Know More
Flu prevention information will be available on the DeKalb County hotline at 815-748-2410. Information and updates will be available at www.dekalbcounty.org and clicking on the "Hot Topics" link.
