Kokomo Tribune; Kokomo, Indiana

Breaking News

Local News

October 23, 2009

Counties waiting on vaccine

Officials falling short of goal to inoculate students.

Health department officials in Miami and Tipton counties are describing plans to distribute the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines as “a logistical nightmare.”

Both counties had planned to vaccinate children first to prevent the spread of the flu in schools and daycare centers, but are not receiving the necessary number of doses to implement the plan.

Noland Pyke with the Tipton County Health Department said the department requested 8,000 doses and received 200 of the mist vaccine in the first shipment. He said approximately 100 injectable doses have been received.

Michelle Siegfred, a licensed practical nurse with the Miami County Health Department, said they have received about 1,000 doses as of Friday.

Pyke said the Tipton County Health Department provided H1N1 vaccines to the Tipton County Hospital for emergency room employees and went to one day care.

He said as vaccines arrive, the plan is to inoculate students in kindergarten through the third grade at the Tri-Central and Tipton schools.

“It’s going to be a nightmare,” Pyke said. “Depending on what we receive from the state will determine what grades are vaccinated.”

Pyke said he can’t understand why some counties are vaccinating older adults instead of concentrating on the school-age population.

“The kids are spreading the flu,” he said. “Let’s get them vaccinated.”

Pyke said Tipton County officials decided in April that kids would receive the first round of vaccinations.

“That’s where its going to be spread most rapidly,” he said. “If we get the kids vaccinated, they can go to school and parents can go to work.”

Pyke said absenteeism in the Tipton County schools is approaching 20 percent.

Siegfred said one clinic for children between the ages of 2 and 5 was conducted, but only 100 people showed up. A clinic is planned for all grades at the North Miami schools.

She said emergency room employees at Duke’s Memorial Hospital and firefighters on ambulances have been vaccinated. Pregnant women are being vaccinated through their regular doctors.

“It’s horrible,” Siegfred said. “We don’t have enough.”

Miami County is targeting people ages 2 to 24.

Siegfred said there is a lot of absenteeism in all the Miami County schools as a result of the flu.

“People have to be patient, we will provide vaccinations as we receive the vaccine,” she said.

Siegfred said it has become “a logistical nightmare” because the H1N1 vaccine is not growing as rapidly as expected.

Miami County received 2,200 doses of the vaccine for the seasonal flu in the spring, but Siegfred said not have been received to vaccinate the kids.

• Ken de la Bastide is the Kokomo Tribune enterprise editor. He can be reached at 765-454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • delphi retirees file art Delphi retirees continue fight for pensions

    A group of then-Delphi Corp. retirees saw a long road ahead of them when they banded in 2009 to keep hold of their full pensions and benefits.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Eastern moves ahead on wind turbine

    A packed room of remonstrators Tuesday held little sway over the Eastern Howard Schools board, which voted unanimously to move ahead on a $2.75 million wind turbine project.

    February 8, 2012

  • Board: discipline not strict enough

    The Medical Licensing Board of Indiana has rejected a proposed resolution to a Russiaville doctor’s disciplinary case, directing the Indiana Attorney General’s Office to propose a more stringent set of requirements.

    February 8, 2012

  • City to end agreement with Novia

    City officials said Tuesday they’re planning to switch providers at the city’s employee health-care clinic this spring, ending a year-old relationship with Novia Health Care.

    February 8, 2012

  • Eastern celebrates graduation rate improvement

    The latest graduation rates prove all Howard County schools are offering a quality education, a local superintendent said.

    That’s how Tracy Caddell, superintendent of the Eastern Howard School Corp., summed up the figures released Tuesday by the Indiana Department of Education.

    February 8, 2012

  • 3 to room Jail full of females

    In late January, cell mates Monica Clark Davis and Christy Miller were awaiting disposition of their respective cases in the Howard County jail.

    February 7, 2012 2 Photos

  • Eastern set for wind turbine meeting

    GREENTOWN — Eastern Howard Schools superintendent Tracy Caddell said Monday the school board is considering alternate sites for a proposed wind turbine project, which would build a 287-foot-tall windmill to produce energy for the schools.

    February 7, 2012

  • Chamber cancels cook-off

    After an 11-year run, the annual chili cook-off in Kokomo has been canceled for this year.

    February 7, 2012

  • Miami County GOP fails to appoint new trustee

    PERU – Miami County commissioners will be forced to appoint a Perry Township trustee after the GOP’s county chairman exceeded the deadline to replace the vacated seat.

    February 7, 2012

  • Students petition to keep daycare at IUK

    A group of Indiana University Kokomo students is petitioning the university to reconsider shutting down an on-campus childcare center.

    February 6, 2012

eEdition
ktbizlinc.kokomotribune.com
Featured Ads
More kokomotribune.com
KT Twitter Updates
Follow me on Twitter

Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate' Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is... Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.