Now that flu is not so widespread, vaccine is abundant. Naturally, the public is less inclined to get vaccinations; why go to a clinic when the risk of getting sick is low.
But for those who don’t follow the crowd, now might be the right time to consider a swine flu vaccination.
The Maine Center for Disease Control advises it. The reason: Although flu is not widespread in Maine or anywhere else at present, the disease spreads in waves and there is still plenty of time for another outbreak to get started. Swine flu has not followed the timetable for seasonal flu ”“ it made an initial appearance around here last April and then came on strong during the fall.
At its peak, vaccine was scarce, but there is now plenty for everyone, at little or no out-of-pocket cost. And waiting in line should not be a problem. A clinic in Biddeford last week was prepared to vaccinate a thousand, but only a few hundred showed up.
Although everyone naturally considers their own self-interest, a nurse at that clinic made the point that widespread vaccination is good for everyone. She said a “herd immunity” to the H1N1 influenza virus could simply stop it from spreading. That’s an important goal since this flu strain is quite contagious, and can be dangerous to the young.
Getting vaccinated now is also good insurance against a resurgence of this unpredictable virus. According to Dora Anne Mills, director of the Maine CDC, the H1N1 virus may be with us for years to come.
For those inclined to be prudent, clinics are still being scheduled. For instance, Southern Maine Medical Center and SMMC Visiting Nurses plan a clinic Saturday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m.-noon at St. Martha’s Church in Kennebunk. University Health Care will operate a clinic from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. this Saturday at Saco Family Medicine, 655 Main St., Saco.
— Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com or City Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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