JEFFERSON — His face pinched in a momentary wince, Stephen Koon’s eyes screwed shut, he held his breath and took his H1N1 vaccination like a man.
Stephen, 9, was one of dozens of people to receive the vaccination at the Ashtabula County Department of Health clinic and his siblings Krisa, 7, and Jason, 11, didn’t escape the needle stick, either.
The ACDH holds H1N1 vaccination clinics on Mondays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the health department building. Children under age 9 will need two shots, given 28 days apart, for complete protection, Ashtabula County Health Department director of nursing Christine Kettunen said.
“The work here has been very busy or very steady,” Kettunen said. “But we are moving people through. We have four nurses here today and they are keeping up with the crowd.”
Kettunen said the health department has run out of seasonal flu shots, but is offering the free H1N1 vaccinations to all children. Adults under 64 with underlying conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or heart or kidney problems are also eligible for the shot.
“It has been found that people age 65 and over have likely been exposed to this strain of flu sometime in their lifetime. Very few people over age 65 will get the swine flu,” she said.
With a limited supply of H1N1 vaccinations on hand, Kettunen said the health department is targeting children and at-risk adults first, including adults or caretakers of infants under 6 months old.
“Later, as more shots arrive, we will open the vaccination clinics to everyone,” she said. “We expect weekly shipments of the vaccine.”
Most school-age children can be vaccinated at their schools, Kettunen said.
Anyone with questions about H1N1 can call the Ashtabula County Red Cross hot line (576-1463) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, starting today.
University Hospitals also has set up a hot line for the swine flu (216-844-7246).
Krista Koon shed just a few tears as nurse Shirley Platano administered the shot. Mom Tammy Koon of Williamsfield Township said she and husband Keith “thought long and hard” about the H1N1 vaccination before they brought their three children to the health department.
“It wasn’t a no-brainer,” she said. “I called their doctors and (allergy and asthma) specialists to make sure they would recommend getting the vaccination.”
Tammy Koon said two of her nieces caught the swine flu and suffered greatly with the sickness.
“They are both in their late 20’s, but they have severe asthma. The coughing was unbelievable. They were really, really sick and it scared us.”
Local News
County health dept. gives H1N1 shots
- Local News
-
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
The Buckeye Local Board of Education will conduct interviews with six superintendent hopefuls next week, said Board President Jacqueline Hillyer.
-
Shooting suspect to be tried as adult
A 17-year-old will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday after hearing a sheriff’s deputy describe how the teen wore a T-shirt with the word “Killer” and admitted shooting people.
-
Ohio EPA takes AIM at site of hazardous wastes
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency staff members returned this week to the site of the now-bankrupt Ashtabula Iron and Metal on West 30th Street to take samples of the unknown liquids and analyze hazardous wastes, asbestos and other potential health and environmental concerns.
-
Commissioners look at selling nursing beds
Commissioners have retained the services of a law firm that specializes in the sale of excess nursing home beds as the board looks at ways to raise additional revenues.
-
Conneaut looks at demolition funds
The city is making preparations to secure its share of nearly $692,000 in demolition funds expected to be Ashtabula County’s portion of a multi-billion dollar settlement with national mortgage lenders.
-
Volunteers get more help than needed at rescue spot
Despite their good intentions, Edward and Mary proved more hindrance than help to the Conneaut KeyBank employees lending a helping hand Thursday to a farm animal rescue operation in Kingsville Township.
-
220 graduate at Lakeside
Thursday night was a time of pomp, circumstance and smiles as 220 seniors graduated from Lakeside High School.
-
Lost money?
There is no map, and “X” may not mark the spot, but hundreds of Ashtabula County residents may have unclaimed cash ready and waiting for them through the Ohio Department of Commerce.
-
Lane to be tried as adult in Chardon High shooting
A 17-year-old boy will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday.
-
Happy Hearts School holds commencement for its Class of 2012
As commencement exercises go in Ashtabula County, the one at Happy Hearts School was small, with just five students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
