FREE FLU SHOTS BEING GIVEN FOR SENIORS ANTHRAX WORRIES EXPECTED TO RAISE VACCINE DEMAND.Byline: Holly Edwards Staff Writer NORTH HOLLYWOOD - Hundreds of seniors are expected to line up today for a free flu vaccine clinic at the East Valley Multipurpose Senior Center in North Hollywood. With fears of anthrax anthrax (ăn`thrăks), acute infectious disease of animals that can be secondarily transmitted to humans. It is caused by a bacterium (Bacillus anthracis running high, Los Angeles County health officials said they expect a high demand for flu vaccine this year. The inhaled form of anthrax causes many symptoms that mimic the flu - fever, headache, aches and pains - and local doctors said they expect to see increasing numbers of people demanding anthrax tests as flu season reaches its peak. ``If someone comes in with cold and flu symptoms, federal guidelines require us to determine whether the person had a known environmental exposure to anthrax before being tested,'' said Dr. Stephen Jones, director of emergency medical services An Emergency medical service (abbreviated to initialism "EMS" in many countries) is a service providing out-of-hospital acute care and transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient believes constitutes a medical emergency. at Northridge Medical Center. Jones added that the hospital is already seeing several patients each day who request anthrax tests, either because they have flu-like symptoms or simply want to be screened for the bacteria. While inhalation anthrax inhalation anthrax Pulmonary anthrax, woolsorter's disease Pulmonology Occupational anthrax caused by inhalation of Brucella anthracis spores, affecting those exposed to aerosols during early processing of goat or other infected animal hair Clinical is the most deadly form of the disease, anthrax bacteria most commonly enter the body through cuts in the skin, causing a less lethal form of the disease. The bacteria can also be ingested in·gest tr.v. in·gest·ed, in·gest·ing, in·gests 1. To take into the body by the mouth for digestion or absorption. See Synonyms at eat. 2. , causing severe intestinal disease. County health officials said they have purchased about 129,000 doses of flu vaccine, enough to immunize im·mu·nize v. 1. To render immune. 2. To produce immunity in, as by inoculation. im 9 percent of the county's senior population. The rest of the flu shots are expected to be administered by private doctors. About 70 percent of county seniors, on average, get a flu shot each year at a clinic or from their doctor, but health officials say the anthrax scare is expected to dramatically increase the number of people seeking the vaccine this year. The vaccine is offered first to those ages 60 and older, and those who suffer from a chronic illness. Seniors can receive their free flu shots from 1 to 3 p.m. at the East Valley Multipurpose Senior Center, located at 5000 Colfax Ave. Additional free flu vaccine clinics for seniors will be offered this month at the Canoga Park Senior Center, 7326 Jordan Ave., on Friday from 9 to 11 a.m., and at St. Mark's Episcopal Church St. Mark's Episcopal Church may refer to one of hundreds of Episcopal churches throughout the United States, including:
For further information about upcoming flu vaccine clinics scheduled in the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. , contact the Los Angeles County Health Services health services Managed care The benefits covered under a health contract Department toll-free at (800) 427-8700, or visit the department's Web site at www.lapublichealth.org. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion