Flu shot clinics coming up
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Brenda Sommer Inconsolable Young Gabriel Martinez, age 3, wasn't accepting any consolation or apologies after receiving a flu shot Tuesday afternoon. He, against his wishes, took part in a flu shot clinic put on Thursday afternoon at the Louise ISD library by the state health department.

Some upcoming flu shot clinics are a good reminder it's not too late to be vaccinated against the debilitating virus.

State health officials and El Campo medical facilities began the annual preventive process last month, and the Texas Department of State Health Services encourages everyone 6 months and older to receive a flu shot as soon as possible.

"Flu is more than just a bad cold that makes people feel uncomfortable," said Dr. David Lakey, DSHS commissioner. "This viral infection can lead to a serious, sometimes deadly illness. An annual flu shot is one of the best ways to protect people from flu and its complications and to reduce the spread of the virus."

There will be adult flu clinics this coming week throughout the county, sponsored by the Department of State Health Services and the Wharton County Immunization Coalition. They will be held:

• Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the East Bernard Library;

• Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the El Campo Fire Department; and

• Thursday, Nov. 15 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the courthouse annex in Wharton.

A $10 donation is appreciated, and those who bring their Medicare or Medicaid card may have the shots for free.

People can get their flu shots through private providers, including Mid Coast Medical Clinic in El Campo and South Texas Medical Clinic in Wharton.

The state health department said those at increased risk of severe flu complications should get their flu shot as early as possible. These groups include children ages 6 months through 4 years, people with chronic medical conditions, residents of long-term care facilities and pregnant women.

Early immunizations also are encouraged for those 50 and older, for people who live with or care for those at increased risk of flu complications and for those who come in close contact with children younger than 6 months.

Flu season typically runs October through March, usually reaching its peak in Texas in January and February. People can get a flu shot anytime throughout the fall and winter. The shot takes about two weeks to become effective.

Flu symptoms include a sudden, often high fever; headache; extreme tiredness; dry cough; sore throat; runny or stuffy nose; and muscle aches. The illness is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, releasing the contagious virus into the air. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, dehydration and worsening of chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.

Because flu viruses change, a new vaccine is produced each year. Flu shots do not contain live viruses and cannot cause the flu. A nasal-spray flu vaccine, which contains live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu, is an option for healthy people ages 2 years to 49 years who are not pregnant.

For more information on the flu clinics coming up Tuesday through Thursday, call (979) 732-3662 or 1-888-456-7114.