2004 Year in Review

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Morrison Flu Vaccine in limited supply

Morrison Online made telephone calls to the four (4) primary health care facilities in Morrison on October 27 to inquire about current flu vaccine supplies. Morrison Community Hospital Administrator Terry Amstutz informed us that there are two (2) suppliers of the flu vaccine for the entire health care system in the United States. The supplier that depended on the manufacturer in England which was closed unfortunately was the supplier of the vaccine to Morrison Community Hospital. The hospital does have a backup supply system in place and is actively working with those providers including the Whiteside County Health Department and Community General Hospital.

Mr. Amstutz further stated they currently are not giving flu vaccinations to walk in customers but will be giving the shots to their direct care patient givers in the hospital next week. The first recipients of the shots will be the residents of their Long Term Care Facility which number about 45 at this time.

Mr. Amstutz noted also the hospital is putting up bilingual posters with suggestions to stay healthy this flu season. Hand washing is critical and the new "cough in your elbow" rather than your hands he said is being urged.Call them at 772-4003 for further information.

We called The Morrison Clinic and they have a limited supply of the flu vaccine according to Rhonda. Their clinic is using the state guidelines for vaccinations which is 65 or older, children 6 to 23 months and people with chronic illnesses can receive the shot. Call them at 772-8100 for further information.

We called the Morrison Family Health Clinic and spoke with Marlene who also said they had a limited supply of the vaccine and were using similare guidelines as the Morrison Clinic was using. Dr. Woods is using care to determine the chronically ill for their shots. Call them at 772-7491 for further information.

We also called the Whiteside County Health Department (772-7411) and using extension #35 you can hear the scheduled flu clinics the department is conducting in Whiteside County. The vaccinations are $20.00 each but they are using the guidelines of 6 to 23 months, Age 65 and older and chronicilly ill people as guidelines. The clinic message also lists other people they will vaccinate including all women who are pregnant, people in nursing homes and health care workers.

Morrison Online suggests you contact your physician for more current information regarding receiving a flu vaccination. Mr. Amstutz made the suggestion to log on to the website www.cdc.gov (Center for Disease Control) for excellent information on how to stay healthy during this upcoming flu season.

by Editor, theCity1.com
October 27, 2004