H1N1 vaccine running dry in area
Hundreds of swine flu vaccinations have been distributed throughout Mount Pleasant.
But the wait remains for more shipments — many places that carry the vaccination are seeing a shortage.
Central Michigan District Health Department, 2012 E. Preston Ave., was out of the vaccination as of Oct. 27 and will not distribute a new batch until Nov. 21.
Central Michigan Community Hospital, 1221 S. Drive, also is out of H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccinations and is waiting for the next shipment.
CMCH spokeswoman Darcie Van Dop said they hope to receive a shipment soon.
“We’ve gone through two shipments of both vaccinations already,” she said. “As soon as we get a shipment, we plan to host a public clinic so people can get the vaccination.”
About 300 H1N1 and 2,580 seasonal flu vaccinations were distributed through the hospital.
“The number of seasonal flu shots from this year is way higher than last year,” Van Dop said.
Central Michigan University Health Services Director Tom Trionfi estimated 624 H1N1 vaccines were distributed — 26 injections, and the rest were nasal vaccination.
“We ran out quite fast,” Trionfi said. “We are still awaiting for more vaccinations.”
Oct. 28 was the last time University Health Services administered H1N1 nasal spray vaccines in Foust Hall.
Schools recovering
On Oct. 21, Mount Pleasant Public Schools and Renaissance Public School Academy, 2797 S. Isabella Road, closed the rest of the week because of significant student absences.
Mount Pleasant High School had 47 percent of its students absent, and Renaissance had 22 percent.
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Tammy Carrier said the high school has regained the majority of its students.
“After we came back from the three-day break, we got back to almost full attendance,” she said. “We got some new cases since last month, but it’s only a few individuals.”
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy, 302 S. Kinney Ave., did not have the adequate amount of students absent to close, but it took precaution and also closed for the rest of the week.
People at high-risk will be first to receive the vaccination, including children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years old, parents/caregivers for children under 6 months, health care workers and people from ages 25 to 64 with chronic medical conditions.
Symptoms that differ from the seasonal flu are vomiting and diarrhea.
