The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
FLU SHOT CLINICS HOSTED
Mayor gets needle, discusses benefits
Halloween marks the start of flu shot season for Lorain County Public Health.
The county health department will host a series of community flu shot clinics running through Nov. 19.
The clinics started Oct. 30 in North Ridgeville, with a special guest clinic the same day at Lorain City Hall.
Public Health Nurse Gloria M. Gonzalez and Health Education Specialist Katherine Bray visited with doses for Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer and his Administrative Assistant Louise Kilbane.
Ritenauer also spoke on video to create a public service announcement for the health department and flu shots.
“You realize when it’s going in, it’s a little prick, but nothing too crazy.”
— Mayor Chase Ritenauer
He said he has received flu shots the last four or five years via his physician or local clinics.
Ritenauer said the vaccine is good because he is busy and comes into contact with a lot of people.
But you don’t have to be a mayor to contact a lot of people, he said.
Lorainites come into contact with each other while going to school and church and while shopping, Ritenauer said.
For those nervous about needles, Ritenauer said it does not hurt.
“You realize when it’s going in, it’s a little prick, but nothing too crazy,” he said.
Once a person is vaccinated, it takes about two weeks for antibodies to build up, Gonzalez said.
The flu shot does not cause people to get the flu, she said.
“Some people will say, I got the flu after I got the flu shot,” Gonzalez said. “Well, you really didn’t.
“Chances are it was something brewing; you probably were pre-exposed to something because it takes two weeks for antibodies to build.”
Lorain County has three types of preservative-free vaccines:
• Flu shot for people age 6 months to 64 years
• High-dose flu shots for adults age 65 and older
• Nasal “flumist” for ages 2 to 49. The nasal mist is an option for people adverse to needles.
For people with health insurance, the health department bills the insurer; if it is not covered, Lorain County Public Health does not charge people who get the shot.
For people without health insurance, there is no charge for the vaccine.
Lorain County Public Health also has an online flu shot locator at loraincountyflu.com.
Along with the flu shots, Lorain County Public Health recommended two other steps to avoid flu:
• Wash your hands frequently and disinfect surfaces that people touch often.
• Avoid touching your face, mouth and nose.