Nov 2, 2008 6:53 pm US/Eastern
Free Vaccinations Prep Howard Co. For Flu Season
HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
-
-
It is the largest flu vaccination effort in the region, and it took place in Howard County.
It is the largest flu vaccination effort in the region, and it took place in Howard County.
Tim Williams reports health and emergency workers were on hand Sunday to administer a few thousand shots, but the event has a deeper significance.
It was an autumn outing for the entire family, and some even packed a lunch.
"I've got chips, chicken. You name it, I've got it. I thought I'd be here for a while," said Lillian Lehnert. "The first year I waited for hours, last year about an hour and a half, this year about 25 minutes."
The purpose of the Howard County event is to ensure free flu vaccinations are available to the community.
"This is a great service. It's free for anyone who wants to come. Vaccines cost about $25 to $30 at the doctor's office or the Giant Food, so it's great for people and extremely important every year," said Dr. Peter Beilenson, Howard County Health Department.
The service is a drive-thru in its third year. A few hundred Howard County employees and another 200 plus volunteers donated their time.
Sandy Nicholas is one of the team leaders who keeps the system moving.
"Actually being around the election and all that, a lot of things are going on. I think this is really nice for people to come in and get a flu shot, not worry about a payment, and worry about all the other things they have right now to deal with," said Nicholas.
Influenza kills about 36,000 Americans yearly, and it hospitalizes another several hundred thousand.
The very young, people 50 and older and those with weakened immune systems are urged to get shots.
The event is more than just an opportunity to get a flu shot. It's also an exercise in emergency preparedness.
"In a case like a pandemic flu outbreak, where we'd have to get medicine to combat the flu to thousands and thousands of residents, it would be through a system such as this," said Dr. Beilenson.
And with coordination of police and other emergency workers, Howard county is among the state jurisdictions poised to drive the message home.
For more information on flu clinics being offered in your area, contact your local health department.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Winter Storm Hits Maryland, Part 3
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments