Vaccine

The Washington County Health Department will hold an adult seasonal flu vaccination clinic Nov. 3 at North Hagerstown High School at 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. The clinic will begin at 9 a.m. and last until supplies are exhausted, according to a press release from the health department. The clinic is for anyone 18 years old and older. A donation of $20 is requested. Medicare will be accepted, but no other insurances will be billed, according to the release. A vaccination for season flu does not provide protection from the H1N1 flu, according to the health department.

scottb@herald-mail.com None of the 40 Washington County Hospital and Health Department workers voluntarily vaccinated for smallpox in recent months has suffered ill effects, Washington County Health Officer William Christoffel said Friday. Elsewhere, three people, including a registered nurse in Salisbury, Md., died of heart attacks after getting the smallpox vaccine. They were part of the government's voluntary program to vaccinate health care and emergency workers who would respond in a bioterrorism attack.

:scottb@herald-mail.com The Washington County Health Department has developed a contingency plan for vaccinating local residents in the event of a regional outbreak of smallpox, Health Officer William Christoffel said Monday. Work on the plan, which can be used to prepare for any form of biological terrorism, began earlier this year in response to anthrax threats, he said. The plan is a precautionary move - there is no expectation that the area will suffer a smallpox outbreak, he said.

scottb@herald-mail.com About 50 Washington County health care workers will soon be voluntarily vaccinated for smallpox in preparation for the possibility they will need to inoculate others against an outbreak of the highly contagious disease, county Health Officer William Christoffel said Friday. "These people will be the vaccinators," he said. Plans for the vaccinations were on hold until federal legislation for "smallpox countermeasures" was signed by President Bush.

The Washington County Health Department will conduct a seasonal flu vaccination clinic for adults only on Friday, Oct. 21, according to an agency news release. No appointment will be necessary at the walk-in clinic will be held at the health department at 1302 Pennsylvania Ave. in Hagerstown, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the release said. Medicare will be accepted, and no other insurance will be billed, the release said. However, a donation of $20 would be appreciated, the release said.

Md. urges vaccination of horses By ANDREW SCHOTZ / Staff Writer Maryland's state veterinarian is urging horse owners to vaccinate their horses against encephalitis after five cases of the disease were confirmed in southeastern Virginia. continued The suggested waiting period between Eastern equine encephalitis vaccinations has been cut in half - from one year to six months - as a precaution, said Roger Olson, chief of the animal health program at the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

The Washington County Health Department will have an influenza vaccination clinic before the end of November for Washington County residents only, according to a health department press release. The exact time and location of the clinic will be announced when planning is finalized, according to the press release. While a date for the clinic has not been set, it will offer flu vaccines to people who fall into one of the following high risk groups: · Adults older than 65 · People with chronic medical conditions that would put them at significant risk if they were to become ill with influenza · Pregnant women ·People with chronic medical conditions must have documentation of the condition from their doctor.

An informational rabies poster produced by Courtney Horine from Girl Scout Cadette Troop 652 from Pleasant Valley was chosen as the winner of a Rabies Shot Promotion contest by the Humane Society of Washington County. The poster promotes vaccinating pets against rabies, stating why pets should be inoculated and providing the dates, times and locations of upcoming rabies clinics. "It is very important for people to have their pets protected against rabies," said Courtney. "All pet owners need to be good pet owners and ensure their pets safety by having all their vaccinations.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Food and Drug Administration approved the new swine flu vaccine Tuesday, a long-anticipated step as the government works to get vaccinations under way next month. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the vaccine's approval to Congress -- and said she hopes to get the first limited supplies distributed early in October. The bulk of vaccine will start arriving Oct. 15, and Sebelius said it should be available at 90,000 sites around the country.

The Washington County Health Department is holding two flu-vaccine clinics Tuesday in Hagerstown. One will be at the Elks Lodge at 11063 Robinwood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The other will be at Community Rescue Service at 110 Eastern Blvd. North from 9 a.m. to noon. That clinic will offer drive-through service for people with special needs. People at least 18 years old are eligible. A donation of $20 will be accepted for a flu vaccine, unless it's covered by Medicare.