More citizens roll up their sleeves for flu shots this week

October is the threshold month often leading to flu season, which usually peaks around mid-winter. According to information provided by the Wyoming State Department of Health, last year was one of the most severe flu seasons on record for the state of Wyoming, with 29 influenza-associated deaths reported in the state. With another flu season ahead, the WDH is recommending the flu shot as a preventative measure for most people in the state. And, in Big Horn County, numerous cost effective opportunities are still available to get the shot.[caption id="attachment_10412" align="alignright" width="285"] Kathy Johnson rolls up her sleeve to get her flu shot administered by nurse Cresta Peterson at the Café Influenza Clinic held at North Big Horn Hospital on Thursday, Oct. 8.
Patti Carpenter photo[/caption]More than 140 people drove through the Café Influenza clinic offered at North Big Horn Hospital to get their flu shot on Thursday, Oct 8. The NBHH mobile medical unit started visiting schools in Lovell, Cowley and Burlington and several local plants including Western Sugar, BPM and MTI (formally AMCOL) this week, where the mobile unit nurses are expected to administer around 400 flu shots to employees at those locations.The North Big Horn Senior Citizens Center in Lovell is hosting a flu shot clinic staffed by nurses from the Wyoming Public Health Department on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Center.  Seniors who have a Medicare Part B card can use it to pay for the service or pay $20 for the shot.WDH epidemiologist Reggie McClinton said the 2014-15 influenza season represented the highest number of deaths the state has seen in many years. According to McClinton, 21 of those deaths occurred in people older than 65. One child died; the remainder of those deaths were reported in individuals under age 65. Many of those who died had normal healthy immune systems.

By Patti Carpenter