Vaccine

Spring weather means children and adults will be walking around in bare feet. It also means the risk of floods from heavy spring showers and melting snow. Both of those events have one thing in common . . . they pose a threat for tetanus infection. Tetanus infection is a bacterial disease that affects the nervous system and is often fatal. Most individuals are probably aware that stepping on a rusty nail or a puncture wound can cause a tetanus infection. However, tetanus bacteria can also enter the body through a tiny pinprick, a scratch from an animal, splinters, bug bites and even burns that break the skin.

Having now passed the half way mark of the 2008 legislative session, more than 700 bills and resolutions have been filed, and more than 100 of those have passed out of the Kentucky House of Representatives and on to the State Senate. The next three weeks will be very busy in the House as we will be debating changes to the state employee retirement system, the governor's proposal for a constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling, a constitutional amendment to allow felons who have served their sentence to receive back their right to vote, the state's two-year spending plan, and various tax proposals, including a proposed cigarette tax increase.

The influenza virus is now classified as "widespread" in Kentucky, the state Department for Public Health announced Thursday. But there is still plenty of flu vaccine left in Clark County, and plenty of time to get vaccinated, said Scott Lockard, director of the Clark County Health Department. "As we're seeing the increased spread of influenza across the state, it's very important that people get vaccinated," he said. "We have had no confirmed cases here in Clark County, so this is a great opportunity for us to get protected.

On Wednesday, 564 Clark County residents rolled up their sleeves and got their flu shots at a community clinic set up by the Clark County Health Department. "This is the kickoff for the vaccination season," said Scott Lockard, director of public health for Clark County. "We try to do a mass vaccination to get as much as possible out at the start. " The Health Department set up nine vaccination stations in the library at George Rogers Clark High School, and a drive-through station in the parking lot. Lockard said he expected about 500 people to show up. "We have plenty of flu vaccine this year," he said.

Clark County health care workers: Are your vaccinations up-to-date? You should be immune to the following: influenza (flu), hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella (even mild or undetectable rubella disease can cause birth defects), tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (you may need a dose sooner if injured or during a pertussis outbreak). We now have the option of offering adult tetanus with diphtheria and acellular pertussis, which helps adults protect very young babies from getting whooping cough from adults.

Rabies vaccination clinics, sponsored by the Lincoln County Health Department, The Animal Care Center, and Stanford Veterinary Clinic, have been scheduled. The clinics will be held at various locations throughout the county. The vaccination fee is $5 per animal, a reduced rate from the normal fee. The dates and times are: Monday, July 30: Highland Elementary, 8 to 9:30 a.m. Hustonville Elementary, 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1: Broughtontown Community Center, 8 to 9:30 a.m. Crab Orchard Elementary, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 3 (evening clinic)

July 7, 1957 Dr. S. T. Scrivener, of the Clark County Health Department, has announced that all persons having received the first shot in the series of the federal polio vaccine program are eligible to receive the second shot 30 days after receiving the first shot. The Rev. Thomas C. Clay has been called to fill the vacancy left by the Rev. Keith Hill, who recently resigned as pastor of First Presbyterian Church on South Main Street. Lewis G. Baldwin is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis F. Baldwin and family, at their home on Lindberg Road.

Boyle County Health Department and local veterinarians will hold rabies vaccination clinics June 11-16 in locations in Boyle County. The fee is $5 per animal, all domestic animals are accepted. Dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers or boxes. June 11: 6-7 p.m. at Junction City Park by Stephanie Raispis; and 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Parksville Baptist Church by Keith Grubbs. June 12: 6-7 p.m. at Perryville Elementary School by Chuck Keiser; and 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Forkland Community Center by Nash, Cleveland, Godfrey and Smith.

Planning for a pandemic influenza brought community leaders, health workers and school officials together Monday at Inter-County Energy. The meeting is part of a multiple-phase initiative by the state Department for Health and is aimed at protecting Kentucky residents in the event of a worldwide flu epidemic. The workshop, sponsored by Boyle County Health Department, focused on school closings during such a health emergency. Participants split into groups and were given video scenarios such as news coverage of Asian Bird Flu hitting another country, then asked to answer specific questions relating to planning and preparedness.