FAIRMONT — Call it a sign of the season: the first flu vaccine clinic offered by the Marion County Health Department takes place Thursday.
From 9 a.m.-3 p.m., residents 18 and older can get their flu shot, said Cyndee Kiger, R.N. The department is located at 300 Second St.
“The flu shot is free for persons who are on standard Medicare,” said Kiger, the department’s director of nursing.
Children age 6 months to 18 can get their flu vaccination during the department’s weekly clinics from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesdays, she said.
“All indications are that the vaccine is a good match for the virus this season,” Kiger said.
Influenza or “flu” is a contagious disease which can be spread by coughing, sneezing or nasal secretions, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control.
The symptoms include fever, sore throat, chills, fatigue, cough, headache and muscle ache.
On average, 226,000 people are hospitalized every year and 36,000 die of the flu, most of them elderly, the CDC states.
Kiger and the CDC recommend a flu shot for children age 6 months to 18 and anyone over the age of 50.
The vaccine is also recommended for anyone who lives with or cares for people at high-risk for influenza-related complications.
These are health-care providers, particularly caregivers for children and people over 50.
The flu season typically runs from November through May, but it most often peaks in January or February.
More information is available at the county health department.
Information is also available online at the CDC’s Web site: www.cdc.gov/flu.
E-mail Bill Byrd at bbyrd@timeswv.com.
Local News
Flu vaccine clinic Thursday
- Local News
-
-
Teaching on their level
“I would like to nominate Lois Thibodeau for ‘My Favorite Teacher.’ She is the special needs Pre-K teacher at Watson Elementary School.” This was Kristi Wolford singing the praises of Lois Thibodeau.
-
DHHR requiring additional vaccines for students
Seventh- and 12th-graders who return to class in the fall without certain immunizations will not be allowed to attend school unless they get the required inoculations.
-
Cost of crime
Victim.
You never thought this would be you.
But you are the victim of a nonviolent or violent crime.
After contacting the proper authorities, you may be bewildered as to what happens next. -
More streets to be paved this week
Even more city streets will be paved this week than expected.
City Manager Jay Rogers said the spring paving required fewer tons of asphalt to cover the distance than originally estimated. That means there’s asphalt to spare and more streets are getting paved this spring. -
Bertoletti has 33 pepperoni rolls in only 10 minutes to win
If there’s one Memorial Day tradition that everybody participates in, one way or another, it’s eating.
Maybe it’s at a picnic at one of the many venues scattered across Marion County, enjoying hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni salad and other seasonal food. -
Assaults, physical or not, affect ‘sense of safety and trust’
An assault of any kind — whether it’s physical or not — can be traumatizing.
“You don’t need to have suffered any cuts or scratches,” said Dr. Ronald Pearse, “but any kind of assault affects your sense of safety and trust.” -
Reasoning Mind excites students
As a teacher, Beverly Stewart has never been more thrilled than when she sees the benefits a newer program has done for her students.
Pleasant Valley Elementary fifth-grade student Calista Muzzapelle worked diligently on her assignments last week, much like she had during her Christmas break. -
Pepperoni roll prize
To someone from out of state, the pepperoni roll might seem like a mystery.
“Is it like a calzone?” they might ask, “or a stromboli?”
Unique to the state of West Virginia, the pepperoni roll represents the Italian heritage of many of the miners in the early 20th century mixed with hardworking Mountaineer common sense. -
BOE seeks land for new middle schools
The Marion County Board of Education is looking at land to build new middle schools in Mannington and Monongah.
If all goes as planned, county voters will see a bond on the November ballot. -
Former WVU coach takes final journey home
Bill Stewart has made his way back home.
The former West Virginia University football coach, who died suddenly earlier this week of a heart attack at 59, was laid to rest Friday in his hometown of New Martinsville. - More Local News Headlines
-
