Though there is a loll in reported cases of the H1N1 flu, the coordinator for the Howard County Health Department expects an upswing in January.
Coordinator Karen Lopke described the number of students and residents in the priority groups receiving the vaccine as disappointing.
A total of 2,399 Howard County residents in the priority groups received vaccinations during three clinics at the Indiana University Kokomo campus, Lopke said.
The number of school-age children receiving the vaccine range from a low of 23 percent to a high of 76 percent, with an average of 47 percent, at each Kokomo and Howard County school.
“The percentages at the schools were not good,” she said.
Approximately 500 Kokomo High School students will receive a vaccination on Friday, the final school clinic for the H1N1 virus in Howard County.
Lopke said the supply of vaccine has improved. The health department now can order the number of doses needed, instead of receiving an allotment from the state.
Local pharmacies also will have the H1N1 vaccine available after Dec. 20. Lopke said the pharmacies will charge an administration fee. There is no charge for inoculations administered by the health department.
“We’re seeing fewer cases,” Lopke said of the H1N1 flu. “Right now we’re on a downhill slide. I believe after the holiday we will see another peak. It will be similar to when the students went back to school.”
She said there have been no reported deaths in the county.
“We’re still urging people to get vaccinated,” she said. “The vaccine is the only way to prevent getting the flu or lessening the symptoms.”
Lopke said children with medical issues should receive the vaccine.
Children under the age of 10 should receive a second H1N1 vaccination after 30 days. Children over the age of 10 are not required to receive a second inoculation.
• 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
UPCOMING CLINICS:
• Tuesday – Kids clinic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the health department offices in the Howard County Government Annex, by appointment, for the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine. Call 456-2408 to make an appointment.
• Jan. 12 – Open clinic for anyone from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the first floor conference room of the Howard County Government Annex. An appointment can be made by calling 456-2408.
• Jan 15 – Open clinic for anyone from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the first floor conference room of the Howard County Government Annex. An appointment can be made by calling 456-2408.
• Jan. 24 – Open clinic in Havens Auditorium on the Indiana University Kokomo campus from 1 to 3 p.m. No appointment necessary.
Local News
County plans open H1N1 clinics
Vaccination numbers disappoint health officials
- Local News
-
-
UPDATE: Police look for witnesses of face-chewing attack
Authorities in Miami are looking for more witnesses after a police officer fatally shot a naked man who refused to stop chewing on the face of another naked man - even after being shot once by the officer - on a busy downtown highway ramp.
-
Witness: naked attacker was chewing on man's face
Miami police have released few details. Police detective says neither man's identity had been determined. Hospital spokesman said Monday the facility would not release information on the victim.
-
Wind farm company seeks tax abatement
Howard County officials are being asked to consider a 10-year tax abatement for the proposed wind farm in the eastern portions of the county.
-
Local ceremonies honor those who fell in combat
Everyone who had gathered Monday afternoon at Darrough Chapel Park was there to remember the hundreds of names below their feet. Each brick in the Howard County Veterans Memorial’s Walk of Honor had the name of a soldier who died in battle.
-
Carver Center selects new director
Former Kokomo city councilman Dennis Morgan is expected to take the reins at the Carver Community Center, just ahead of the annual Ribfest fundraiser.
-
Colts ‘bring blue’ to Kokomo with team’s Fan Fest
The Indianapolis Colts will host a Fan Fest from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 22 at Foster Park, 721 W. Superior St., Kokomo. A free community concert by Poco will begin at 6:30 p.m.
-
$50,000 pantry fundraiser at $4,390
A fundraiser for Howard County food pantries was less than one-tenth of the way to the goal at the campaign’s half-way mark, according to one of the organizers.
-
Fans remember Dan Wheldon at Indy 500
Fans of the Indianapolis 500 took time on race day to remember Dan Wheldon, the popular driver who died in a crash last year at Las Vegas Speedway.
-
Sixth-grader read dictionary twice to prepare for spelling bee
Sixth-grader Pranav Haran spent six weeks reading through the entire dictionary twice.
That’s more than 472,000 word entries.
-
Library building costs may rise to finish project
The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library’s Outreach Building is looking good from the outside, but library officials indicated this week they’ll need additional funds to complete the project.
- More Local News Headlines
-
UPDATE: Police look for witnesses of face-chewing attack
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
