Clinic has H1N1 vaccine

The Boca Grande Health Clinic has received 100 doses of H1N1 vaccination, and hopes to have more in the near future.

The clinic will administer the swine flu vaccine in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control guidelines.

Pregnant women will receive the vaccine first, until the current supply is exhausted. It will then go to people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months, healthcare and emergency medical personnel, anyone 6 months of age to 24, then to anyone from 25 to 64 with certain chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system.

John Sielert, the chief executive officer of the clinic, said he is unsure whether they will receive more of the vaccine, but if more becomes available, healthy individuals ages 25 through 64 years of age, and adults 65 years and older.

The vaccine is by appointment, and will be given on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is no charge, it is being provided as a public service.

While the timing was not planned, the clinic also held a swine flu lecture on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the community center with more than 50 people in attendance.

Michael Steffan, MD, the newest doctor at the facility, spoke and told the audience the most current statistics issued by the Center for Disease Control on the swine flu.

According to Steffan, from August 30 to October 24 there were 2,916 deaths in the United States from swine flu. Of those, 114 were children. Those numbers, he said, were probably an “underestimation.”

Steffan said the health clinic started giving shots to the children in the Munchkins, at the Boca Grande Child Care Center and have been making appointments with The Island School children.

“We were initially told we weren’t going to receive vaccines, then last week we got 100,” he explained. “Last week we spoke with the heads of all of the programs for children on the island, and gave them several days to turn in their vaccination permission forms. Some of the children have already started coming in.”

The permission slips might have been something that some parents were hesitant to sign. Steffan confirmed that while the vaccination does contain Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, he and the CDC researchers believe that the risks of getting swine flu for children outweigh the potential hazard from mercury exposure.

“As far as Thimerosal, there are those that say it can be attributed to cases of autism,” Steffan said. “This vaccine does contain that. It’s a risk vs. benefit issue. I think there’s probably more risk for development of swine flu than for taking the vaccine.”

Steffan said the least amount of cases have been reported in those age 65 and older, because of immunity to the flu that has built up in their blood from an earlier exposure.

“How many times do physicians tell you that there are advantages to being older?” Steffan said. “Many people in that age group have antibodies in their blood, but if you are in that age group and you do get it you may be more prone to complications, especially if you have underlying medical problems.

John Sielert, the executive director of the clinic, said they have been working with Charlotte County as far as the clinic being a “proxy” for Lee County. While they didn’t even expect the 100 doses they received, he is hoping for more to come.

“I don’t know when it could happen, but Charlotte County could possibly cover the whole island,” he said. “They are reassuring us they’re planning to come here.”

Steffan concluded the lecture by telling the audience that while there is a lot of negative press in reference to the virus, huge steps have been made to combat it.

“My slant on this is very positive,” he said. “Sometimes the news you hear about it may be pessimistic, but for the government to analyze, decode and isolate this virus, start the manufacturing process and to already have the doses they have right now … it’s amazing. I wish we were further along, and that we had more doses, but I think it’s very positive.”

The clinic also has the seasonal influenza vaccine. Individuals may also schedule an appointment for Tuesdays and Thursdays by calling the same number for the regular vaccine. The fee for the seasonal flu vaccine is $35.