PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — With national media attention focused on the Ebola virus, efforts in northern Maine to protect the local population from another virus — seasonal influenza — have resulted in a record number of area residents getting the vaccine at free flu shot clinics offered by TAMC throughout the region.
In recent weeks, infection prevention officials and many others at the hospital have been hard at work taking all necessary measures to prepare in the event a patient with Ebola-like symptoms were to present themselves. But efforts have also been focused on vaccinating community members for a virus that, in the wake of the hype surrounding Ebola, local officials are cautioning has had a much more widespread and devastating impact to date.
“Nationally, there are an average of more 20,000 deaths a year from the seasonal flu and more than a quarter million die annually worldwide. Here in Aroostook County, we saw a particularly harsh flu season just two years ago in the winter of 2012-13,” said Dr. Jay Reynolds, TAMC’s chief medical officer and chief clinical officer. “We are pleased to see a greater number of our friends and neighbors taking proactive measures by getting their seasonal flu shot to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
Altogether at the five free adult flu shot clinics that TAMC has offered throughout central Aroostook County in October, just shy of 1,800 community members have been vaccinated — 1,794 to be exact. That number represents a five-year high for the medical center.
“We have certainly seen large numbers of people come out at both of the clinics in Presque Isle, as well as at our drive-up clinics in Caribou and Fort Fairfield and walk-in clinic in Mars Hill,” said Jennifer Tweedie, TAMC’s manager of infection prevention. “It is nice to see the message about the importance of getting vaccinated for influenza reaching more people. Although national media attention is focused on other concerns, such as the spread of Ebola and enterovirus, we cannot lose sight of the fact that influenza has historically impacted many more individuals worldwide annually. It is especially concerning for vulnerable populations like the elderly and children.”
TAMC’s Aroostook Pediatrics offered its annual free flu shot clinic for children Nov. 1 at North Street Healthcare in Presque Isle. Typically, the pediatric offering is the last of the free seasonal influenza clinics held by TAMC; however, one additional adult flu shot clinic has been added for later in November to accommodate individuals in the region who have not yet been vaccinated. That free clinic will be offered to adults at the Washburn Civic Center Thursday, Nov. 20 from 5-7 p.m.
“We want to give everyone the opportunity to get their flu vaccine,” said Tweedie. “Flu season extends through the winter months and into early spring, typically peaking between December and February. So, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.”
