By Joel Washburn washburn@mckenziebanner.com

   

With autumn comes changing leaves, cooler temperatures, and reminders that flu season is just around the corner.

On September 6, 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that more than 100 million doses of influenza vaccine are likely to be distributed during the 2006/2007 influenza season. Almost all of the vaccine supply is expected to be distributed in October and November.

McKenzie Medical Center announced that its medical staff will begin administering flu shots in early November.

A spokesperson for the center stated that the effects of the vaccine lasts approximately three months, adding the CDC has recommended the immunizations be given in October and November, or even December and later, since influenza doesn't typically peak until February. It takes about two weeks to develop protective immunity after the shot.

A spokesperson at Carroll County Health Department stated flu vaccine has not yet arrived at that facility, but noted a public notification will be issued once the shots are available. Flu vaccinations will be given on specific days of the week, which will be determined once the vaccine arrives, the spokesperson stated.

Unlike last year, there is not expected to be a shortage of flu vaccine this year, according to local medical personnel.

Tri-County Family Medicine in Huntingdon is currently giving flu shots on a daily basis.

"We have plenty of vaccine and are giving shots every day," said Dr. Toby Hampton. Hampton noted that the vaccine this year has two strains of Type A influenza and one strain of Type B, which is consistent with the type of flu expected this year based on past history.

However, the doctor noted that sometimes a different strain other than the one in a vaccine will develop, causing persons to develop a different strain of flu.

Influenza viruses change from year to year, which means two things. First, you can get influenza more than once during your lifetime. The immunity built up from having influenza caused by one virus strain doesn't always hold up when a new strain is circulating. Second, because the strains are constantly changing, the strains contained in the vaccine are updated annually, and the previous year's vaccine may not provide protection for the current year. In addition, the protective immunity from influenza vaccination wanes over the year, another reason an annual flu shot is advised.

Other medical professionals have received confirmation that their supply of the flu vaccine is on its way. Dr. John Holancin of The Jackson Clinic in McKenzie, Dr. Luis Pagoaga, Dr. Dan Sumrok, both of McKenzie and R.B. Wilson Medical Center in Huntingdon expect to begin inoculations in early November. City Drug of Huntingdon, who will also be administering flu shots, stated that inoculations could begin there as early as mid-October. Huntingdon Medical Associates will not be giving flu shots this year and are referring their patients to City Drug.

According to the CDC, influenza causes an average of 36,000 deaths and 114,000 hospitalizations in the United States every year. Influenza is defined as a common, contagious respiratory infection caused by a virus. Incubation after exposure is 24 to 48 hours.

CDC recommends that people at high risk for complications from influenza, and those in chose contact with them, get the vaccine. In fact, virtually anyone who wants to lower his or her chances of getting influenza can get a flu shot. However, persons should talk with a doctor before getting a flu shot if they've ever had a severe allergic reaction to eggs or to a previous flu shot, or if they have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

   

HUNTINGDON (October 13) - Two new 911 computer aided dispatch (CAD) systems have been approved for purchase by the Carroll County E-911 Board of Directors, according to Carroll County Emergency Management District (E-911) Executive Director Tressia Barksdale.

One system will be installed at both the McKenzie Police Department and Huntingdon Police Department, she said, allowing for 911 calls placed within city limits to be dispatched immediately to the respective police department. Currently, all 911 calls are first received by the Carroll County Sheriff's Office and then transferred to the appropriate department.

"Each town will be able to answer their own 911 calls," Barksdale said. "It will save a lot of time, both for the officers and the citizens."

During the September 26 Huntingdon Town Council meeting, Mayor Dale Kelley told the council, "This equipment will save two to three minutes in call transfer. In an emergency situation, two to three minutes means a lot."

McKenzie City Council approved the installation during its October 12 meeting.

Barksdale said the systems will cost approximately $40,000 each for a total of approximately $80,000. Grant money is available for part, but not all, of the cost, she said. The 911 Board voted unanimously to approve purchase and installation costs, while each town will be responsible for the cost of the phone lines and yearly maintenance contract, estimated at $4,000 annually.

Currently, the sheriff's office receives around 30-40 emergency calls per day, she said, and numbers are still unavailable for how many of those calls will be received directly by individual police departments.

The new systems supplement current 911 equipment at both departments, Barksdale said, calling the CAD system a "wonderful addition for dispatchers." The systems, which will be purchased from InterAct Public Safety Systems, will hopefully be installed soon into the new year, she added.

Barksdale said new emergency dispatch equipment is in short supply because much of existing inventory was sent to rebuild dispatch centers in Hurricane Katrina-ravaged areas.

"This is a much, much better system and a safer system, and I am really, really proud of the board of directors for allowing me to do this," Barksdale said.

 

Trezevant (October 10th) A new medical office will arrive in Trezevant within the week after the City purchased a manufactured home from Atlantic Homes in Henry. The clinic, is leased and operated by McKenzie Regional Hospital, and manned by Chris Blount, P.A., and his nurse, Lori Ferguson under the direction of Dr. Luis Pagoaga.

The City Board gave Mayor David Bryant authority to purchase a new medical office building in the September meeting, however, he informed city board members that the city did not receive any bids other than Atlantic Homes. The Mayor ordered the building and made arrangements to borrow $47,500 from Farmers and Merchants Bank at approximately 6.07 percent to purchase the new office space. Mayor Bryant stated that the length of the loan was not yet determined, but the payments for the city would be $500 per month.

The existing singlewide manufactured home is in disrepair.

A one-year lease to continue operations in Trezevant has been signed by McKenzie Regional Hospital and is currently under review by city attorney Charles Trotter. Under the new lease, the medical clinic will pay $200 per month for rent. Mayor Bryant echoed the board's sentiments that the City desires the clinic to stay in town beyond the one-year lease, but that will have to be worked out in the future.

The clinic will temporarily close, reopening after all supplies and records have been transferred.

The City declared the old medical office as surplus property along with five vehicles and a dump truck.

  
MCKENZIE - (October 13) - A fund has been established to help local youth shooters replace their competition guns.

Anyone interested in donating to the fund may do so at: The McKenzie Trap Team Lost Guns Fund, Carroll Bank and Trust, P.O. Box 460, McKenzie, 38201. The account number is 3180913.

Thieves stole an estimated $120,000 in guns and equipment from McKenzie and Dyersburg trap shooters and chaperones Wednesday, October 4 as an entourage made its way to Oklahoma for international shooting competition. The stolen equipment included one-of-a-kind guns, some valued as much as $10,000.

The guns and equipment were in a parked truck when the vehicle was stolen from a hotel in El Reno Oklahoma, according to Lance Rider, who had stopped at the hotel for a night's lodging along with Mark Anderson, Bill Lane, and Dave Gabbard. The vehicle was recovered approximately 20 miles from the hotel.

Youth competitors Carson Rider, Luke Anderson, Lacey Lane, Elizabeth Russell, Travis Russell and Clint Beacham of McKenzie were able borrow guns from competitors to compete in the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) International Bunker Trap Championship at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Since the program's inception three years ago, various local team members have earned state championships, been featured in Field and Stream magazine, and will be featured in National Geographic and Beretta USA magazines early in 2007.