The number of reported flu cases tripled in October, as the Howard County Health Department began a series of clinics in schools.

Judy Lausch, told members of the Howard County Board of Health Monday there were a total of 269 cases reported for the month and 97 reported in August and September.

She said the cases, which were confined to the southwest corner of the county in August and September, has now spread throughout the county.

Lausch explained 42 percent of the reported cases were of children under the age of 10, 38 percent between the ages of 11 and 19, and 22 percent over the age of 20.

The Health Department has decided to stop local physicians from reporting flu cases to the department.

The reported number of cases is not a true reflection of the number of county residents who have contracted either the H1N1 or seasonal flu, according to Lausch.

Lausch said people who have contracted the flu still need to receive a vaccination.

The Health Department conducted its first clinic Tuesday at Eastern Howard School Corp.

Karen Lopke, H1N1 coordinator, said the vaccination was given to students from the sixth grade through high school.

She said 275 of an anticipated 700 students received a vaccination.

The first public clinic is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at IUK’s Havens Auditorium.

Lopke said the Health Department hopes to have 5,000 doses available in nasal and injectable vaccinations for children between the age of 6 months to 10 years old, as well as for pregnant women.

“We anticipate long lines,” Lopke said of the Sunday clinic. “We are trying to use a tracking system so we know how many doses that have been dispensed and how many remain.”

The Health Department will be conducting two other clinics for school age children on Nov. 22 and Dec. 6 at IUK.

Clinics are scheduled Friday at the Bon Air, Lafayette Park and McKinley Alternative School and Sts. Joan of Arc and Patrick schools.

“The vaccine is coming in stronger,” Lopke said of supplies being received by the Health Department. “There is no doubt we will meet the needs of our clinics.”

Lopke said once the high-risk populations of children and pregnant women have the opportunity to access a dose, vaccination clinics will be conducted for the general public.

She clinics canceled last week at the Western schools and Kokomo High School will be rescheduled, but no date has been set.

Dr. Don Zent, public health officer, said the department is attempting to keep the vaccine in the community in an effort to immunize 20,000 children.

“School age children are still the target group at high risk,” he said.

Zent said as a result of delays in receiving the H1N1 vaccine, the department is about a week behind schedule.

“The Health Department is doing the best it can,” he said. “The hospitals and news media are doing a good job or getting information to the public. The schools are doing a good job in trying to prevent the spread of the flu.”

• 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



Flu shot clinics

Dates for H1N1 clinics in Howard County could change depending on the supply of vaccine received.

School clinics

Clinics are for students attending the following schools and will take place during school hours. Students in grades 6 to 12 must have a signed permission sheet.

• Friday: McKinley Alternative School

• Friday: Lafayette Park Middle School

• Friday: Bon Air Middle School

• Friday: Sts. Joan of Arc/Patrick School

• Nov. 17: Maple Crest School

• Nov. 17: Central Middle School

• Nov. 19: Taylor Schools

• Nov. 20: Northwestern Schools

Open clinics

Clinics are for children age 6 months through the fifth grade and will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis. Proof of residency required.

• Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.: Indiana University Kokomo

• Nov. 22, noon to 5 p.m.: Indiana University Kokomo

• Dec. 6, noon to 5 p.m.: Indiana University Kokomo