CHD launches flu vaccine drive

People have three options when getting a flu vaccination from the Center for Human Development. They can get one via a standard flu shot syringe, top; a gentler intradermal syringe, center, or the FluMist, bottom. DICK MASON / The Observer

The Center for Human Development wants area residents to know that it is not too late to protect yourself from the upcoming flu season with a vaccination.

The CHD is launching a campaign to get as many people as possible vaccinated for influenza before the start of winter.

The CHD will have the aid of a grant from the Oregon Adult Immunization Coalition, which will help it offer reduced-cost or free flu shots to some adults who have no health insurance.

Vaccination clinics will be offered by the CHD Dec. 6 and Dec. 8 at Eastern Oregon Head Start, 810 Fourth St. The Dec. 6 clinic runs from 6 to 7 p.m. and the Dec. 8 clinic runs from 11 a.m. to noon.

People are also able to get vaccinations at the CHD, 2301 Cove Ave. Individuals may receive a standard shot from a syringe, a FluMist or a gentler intradermal injection.

It takes about two weeks for a vaccine to take effect, which means there is still time to have your flu immunity built up for the Christmas holidays.

“This is a perfect time to get vaccinated because you will be protected while traveling,’’ Ellis said.

The CHD’s flu immunization push will be conducted in conjunction with National Influenza Vaccination Week, which runs from Dec. 4 to Dec. 10. The week is coordinated by the federal government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People need to get flu shots every winter, Ellis said. She explained that shots from a year ago will not provide protection this winter. The reason is that the strains of flu that hit each winter change every year. It is important to be vaccinated for those specific types of flus.

People with conditions that put them at higher at higher risk for developing complications from the flu are particularly urged to get vaccinated, Ellis said. These include seniors and those with asthma, diabetes and chronic heart disease.

Ellis said healthy people who have not gotten vaccinated should do so for the sake of seniors and those with chronic conditions. She explained that young, healthy people may be able to recover from the flu without any problems, however, by contracting it they become carriers who can pass the virus on to those vulnerable to complications.

Ellis noted that the Centers for Disease Control recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine.

Statistics going back to 1976 indicate that there are between 3,000 and 49,000 flu-related deaths in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Each year, at least 200,000 people are hospitalized because of flu-related complicates. In 2010-11, about 80 percent of the adults hospitalized from flu complications had a long-term health condition. Fifty percent of the children hospitalized had a long term condition.

For additional information on flu vaccinations, call the CHD at 541-962-8800.