Pam Burke Hill County Health Department
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Hill County Health Department has temporarily cancelled all of its scheduled flu shot clinics and office appointments for influenza immunizations. The flu shot clinics will be rescheduled and Health Department staff is compiling a list of those people who are calling to make appointments. Originally, the Health Department had received around 800 doses of flu shots with more soon to be delivered. Several flu shot clinics were scheduled in Havre and across the Hi-Line. Unfortunately, the delivery of the additional doses has been delayed. The Health Department has already provided flu immunization for an unusually high influx of people this fall and aided other health organizations to cover high-risk patients and clients. The immunization shipment is expected to arrive within one to two weeks and the community will be notified as soon as it is available. The Centers for Disease Control, which starts compiling and publishing information on flu season at the beginning of October every year, reports that the 2006-2007 flu season is starting off very slowly. The normal height of flu season is February and March, but it can begin as early as October and last until June. CDC recommends that people get their flu shots sometime from October through December. Whether you have had your flu shot or not, you should practice good health habits. This means you should:
Wash your hands often, especially if you have been around anyone who is sick, after you have been out in public, and before eating.
Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth.
Avoid close contact with anyone who is ill If you think you may have the flu, you should also stay home to rest and recover, and cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your arm rather than your hand.
If you have questions about vaccination or influenza in general, call the Health Department at 265-5481, ext. 266, or your regular physician. As a reminder, the Health Department is located at 302 Fourth Ave., and the entrance is the northeast door facing the Havre-Hill County Library.
