BISMARCK - State health officials encourage North Dakotans to get an influenza vaccination this fall, saying there are more than enough doses available.
The North Dakota Department of Health and Custer Health in Mandan had a news conference Monday morning to discuss the importance of receiving the vaccine.
Influenza is unpredictable, so health officials can't determine what's going to happen this year, said Michelle Feist, influenza surveillance coordinator. So far, one case of influenza has been reported in the state.
The vaccine covers two strains of influenza A, including H1N1, and one strain of influenza B, said Molly Sander, immunization program manager. The vaccine is available via injection or nasal mist.
Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus spread through coughing, sneezing and talking, Feist said. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, aches and extreme fatigue.
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The Health Department encourages everyone 6 months and older to be vaccinated.
It's especially important for children 6 months to 4 years, adults 50 and older, long-term-care residents, pregnant women, people with high-risk medical conditions, American Indians and obese people to be vaccinated, Sander said.
People who could spread the disease to those at high risk - such as health care workers and parents of infants younger than 6 months - also should be vaccinated, she said.
Theresa Orecchia, regional public information officer for Fargo Cass Public Health, said vaccination clinics have been scheduled for mid- to late October.
In Clay County, six seasonal influenza clinics for seniors have been scheduled throughout this month.
Kristina Hansen, emergency preparedness coordinator for Clay County Public Health, said the focus is on high-risk groups such as seniors, but clinics for the general population will be scheduled soon.
"We really encourage everyone in our community to get vaccinated, whether they can get it from public health, their doctor or their local pharmacy," Hansen said.
Custer Health Administrator Keith Johnson in Mandan said influenza is not the same as the stomach flu.
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Each year, more than 400 North Dakotans die as a result of complications from influenza and pneumonia, and hundreds more are hospitalized, Johnson said. The state's health partners are ready to administer vaccines, he said.
"It's a small investment of your time for a potential really big payback," he said.
If you go
- What: Influenza vaccine clinics
- When/Where: Clay County (65 and older)
- 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 20, Moorhead Senior Center
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Oct. 22, Barnesville Senior Center
- 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22, Hawley Senior Center
- 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 25, Felton Senior Center
- 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 26, Hitterdal Senior Center
- 1 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 26, Ulen Senior Center
- Info: $33. Medicare accepted. Bring Medicare insurance cards.
Fargo Cass Public Health County (18 and older)
- 1 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 11, Casselton Spirit of Life Center
- Noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 15, Kindred Senior Center
- 11 a.m to noon Oct. 18, Page Senior Center
- 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 18, Arthur Senior Center
- Info: $33. Medicare accepted. Bring Medicare insurance cards. No pneumonia shots available.
Essentia Health
- 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 22, main campus, 3000 32nd Ave. S., Fargo
- 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 27, West Fargo Clinic, 1401 13th Ave. E
- 3 to 7 p.m., Nov. 3, West Acres Clinic, Fargo
- 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 12, the South University campus
- Info: $37. Contains both seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines.
Sanford Health
- 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 5, Sanford Clinic Southpointe, 2400 32nd Ave. S., Fargo
- 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 6, Sanford Clinic Southpointe, 2400 32nd Ave. S., Fargo
- Info: Info: $37.50 through Dec. 31. $62 after Jan. 1..
Forum reporter Wendy Reuer contributed to this report.
Finneman is a multimedia reporter for Forum Communications Co.
