Las Animas-Huerfano Health Department holding high risk immunization clinic

HUERFANO- The Las Animas-Huerfano Health Department will be holding an immunization clinic on Wednesday, June 8 from 2 pm to 5 pm. The Health Department will be offering three vaccines for this clinic. The Meningococcal Vaccine, the Tdap Vaccine and the Pneumonia Vaccine.
The meningococcal vaccine will be offered for all high school graduates who are planning on attending college. Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness. It is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2 through 18 years old in the United States. Meningitis is an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. About 1,000 to 2,600 people get meningococcal disease each year in the U.S. Even when they are treated with antibiotics, 10-15% of these people die. Of those who survive, another 11-19% lose their arms or legs, become deaf, have problems with their nervous systems, become mentally retarded, or suffer seizures or strokes. Anyone can get meningococcal disease. But there is a high risk of contracting the disease for college freshmen living in dormitories.
The Tdap Vaccine is a Tetanus Vaccine which contains Pertussis. Pertussis is the medical term for whooping cough. Whooping cough has been on the rise for the last two years and can cause death in infants and young children. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all adults including those aged 65 and older who have or who anticipate having close contact with an infant less than 12 months of age and who have not previously received a Tdap, should receive a single dose of Tdap to protect against pertussis (whooping cough) and reduce the likelihood of transmission.
The Pneumonia Vaccine is recommended for all adults 50 years of age or older. It is also recommended for people who are at a greater risk of catching pneumonia such as: smokers, people with a weakened immune system and those who have asthma. Anyone who has a long-term health problem such as: heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, alcoholism or cirrhosis. Also anyone who has a disease or condition that lowers the body’s resistance to infection such as: Hodgkin’s disease, lymphoma or leukemia, kidney failure, HIV or AIDS, damaged spleen or no spleen and organ transplant.
All vaccines will be provided at a cost of $10 per vaccination. The clinic will be held at the Health Department at 119 E. 5th St. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Health Department at 719-738-2650.