THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 9, 1994 TAG: 9411080096
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARLENE FORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
A lot of local senior citizens have decided to grin and bear it this fall. About 40 percent of people 65 and over are rolling up their sleeves and receiving their annual influenza vaccinations - most with moderately happy faces.
``Who's afraid of getting a flu shot?'' asked Hazel Devlin, a senior spending the day at Seatack Community Center. ``I never even felt the needle.''
William Clark simply pulled up his sleeve and looked the other way when the needle went in. He didn't especially want a poke in the arm, but admitted that it really didn't hurt.
According to the American Lung Association of Virginia, each year millions of Americans are afflicted with influenza and pneumonia. Those most at risk are the very young, the very old, those suffering from chronic lung or heart disease and those with weakened immune systems.
Pneumonia is the most common and most deadly complication arising from influenza. Physicians may also recommend a pneumonia vaccination for those at special risk.
To help make the vaccine more accessible, the local Lung Association set up additional flu shot clinics at 20 Hampton Roads pharmacies. Also, Public Health nurse Eileen K. Ayvazian administers the vaccine in city recreation and senior centers through the SEVAMP program, and the Virginia Beach Health Department mobile unit schedules clinics where requested.
Woodstock Elementary School staff recently rolled up their sleeves for the vaccine as have employees at a local veterinarian's office, a publishing firm and a variety of other businesses in town.
The cost of the vaccine is usually between $8 and $10. Covered by Medicare and other health care programs, it is offered by health departments, most physicians' offices and some minor emergency centers.
Now until Nov. 15 is the optimal time to receive the vaccine, although it is given through late winter. Health officials say people with allergies to eggs should not take the vaccine.
Anna Pratt, the Public Health nursing supervisor who manages the community service mobile unit, said, ``Some don't know our services exist, but people still hate shots and others figure they can get through one more flu season without them. So we treat it lightly. We coax as many people as we can and then we basically say, `Just do it.' '' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
Dottie Erwin, left, can't bear to watch as she receives a flu shot
from nurse Alisen Guyet at Woodstock Elementary library. Guyet, who
seems to enjoy her work, was with the Virginia Beach mobile clinic.
AT A GLANCE
SHOT SPOTS
Here's where you can get influenza vaccinations:
Private physicians.
Virginia Beach Health Department: 3432 Virginia Beach Blvd.,
431-3500; 1081 19th St., 491-5122; Mobile Unit, 427-4281.
American Lung Association of Virginia, 855-3059.
Some minor emergency care centers as advertised.
THOSE AT RISK
People 65 or older.
Adults and children with long-term health or lung problems which
caused them to see a doctor regularly or to be admitted to a
hospital for care during the past year.
Residents of nursing homes and other institutions housing
patients of any age who have serious long-term health problems.
People of any age who during the past year have regularly seen a
doctor or have been admitted to a hospital for treatment for kidney
disease, cystic fibrosis, chronic metabolic disease such as
diabetes, anemia or severe asthma.
People who have a type of cancer or immunological disorder or use
certain types of medicines that lower the body's normal resistance
to infection.
Children and teens on long-term treatment with aspirin, who, if
they catch the flu, may be at risk of getting Reye's syndrome.
by CNB