More flu vaccines available this week

Residents are urged to take advantage of the additional flu vaccines becoming available for both the seasonal and swine flu even as the incidences of the two are slowing, according to medical officials.

“Definitely get the vaccine,” said Laura Hovland, nursing supervisor at Innovis Clinic in Jamestown. “Especially the seasonal flu vaccine because I don’t think that’s come around yet and there is always a chance the swine flu may come back.”

Hovland said the busiest month for flu-type illness was October.

“From the testing we did October was mostly the swine flu,” she said. “November was quiet and December is starting out quiet.”

Information from Jamestown Hospital also indicates little or no flu activity at this time.

“The flu has really slowed down,” said Jenna Bredahl, infectious surveillance nurse for Jamestown Hospital. “We haven’t reported a lab confirmed case of flu since Nov. 5.”

In an effort to keep flu numbers down Central Valley Health District will offer a seasonal flu vaccine clinic on Thursday.

“We have about 500 doses of seasonal flu vaccine at this time,” said Robin Iszler, administrator at CVHD. “We will operate a clinic from 3 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 10 at Trinity Lutheran Church.”

Hovland said medical clinics in Jamestown were also receiving seasonal flu vaccine to be distributed by appointment.

Iszler said additional doses of the H1N1 vaccine, commonly known as the swine flu, are becoming available.

“The state Health Department said we can open the swine flu shots to all healthy adults,” she said. “We are looking at making them available later this week.”

Currently swine flu vaccine is available by appointment at CVHD for people in high priority groups such as people with chronic health problems, pregnant women, children under 18 and caregivers of children under 6 months of age.

All the medical officials encourage getting a flu shot even if flu activity is currently low.

“There are concerns things will heat up again,” Bredahl said. “The flu season is far from over. The seasonal flu season can last as late as April or May. The swine flu may pick back up as well.”

Others are concerned about an increase in the flu during the holiday season.

“The holidays bring people together including people from out of state where the flu may still be going strong,” Hovland said.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at

(701) 952-8452 or by e-mail at knorman@jamestownsun.com

Tags: swine flu, life, health, flu, shot, vaccine