Health officials: 50,000 more flu
vaccines available
By Staff
From staff and wire reports
November 6, 2004
High-risk adults in Lauderdale and surrounding counties will be able to get flu shots on Tuesday.
Health officials said Friday that another 50,000 doses of flu vaccine will be available to high-risk adults in 30 Mississippi counties, including counties in the Mississippi Department of Health's District VI.
People wanting the flu shot should bring proof of Mississippi residency, such as a water bill or driver's license, to their designated flu shot center.
Due to a manufacturing problem, this national shortage is affecting the entire country,'' state epidemiologist Dr. Mills McNeill said Friday. We want to distribute the vaccine as quickly and equitably as possible to high-risk Mississippians.''
McNeill said high-risk individuals include adults age 65 or older; people with long-term health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease, lung diseases and others; women who are pregnant or will be pregnant during this flu season (Dec. 4-March 5); and anyone who lives with, or cares for, children less than 6 months old.
McNeill said a limited number of flu vaccine doses will be available based on population, and only high-risk Mississippians will receive the vaccine. An adult flu vaccine costs $15. Pneumonia vaccines will also be available for $25.
McNeill said the state health department will remain in contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in case more vaccine becomes available.
WHERE TO GO
Public health nurses will administer flu shots to high-risk adults Tuesday, beginning at 8 a.m., at the following locations:
Lauderdale County: Poplar Springs Baptist Church, 4032 Poplar Springs Drive, Meridian
Clarke County: Multipurpose Building, West Donald Street, Quitman
Jasper County: Human Services Building, 37 West Eighth Ave., Bay Springs; and at the Health Department, Heidelberg Clinic, 309 Bay Street East Heidelberg
Kemper County: Kemper County Health Department, Highway 16 West, DeKalb
Leake County: West Carthage Baptist Church, 810 Highway 16 West, Carthage
Neshoba County: Neshoba County Coliseum, 12000 Highway 15 North, Philadelphia
Newton County: First Baptist Church of Newton, 305 East Church St., Newton; and at the Health Department, Decatur Clinic, 15776 Highway 15 North, Decatur
Scott County: Scott County-Forest Coliseum, Erle Jonston Drive, Forest
Smith County: Smith County Health Department, 362
Magnolia Drive, Raleigh
