WUPHD offers vaccination services

By KIM E. STROM

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Bessemer - The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department in Bessemer offers several vaccination services to the public, and although they can bill insurance, they also offer a sliding scale for fees for those without insurance, according to public health director Cari DiGiorgio. "The services really are affordable," she said.

Flu shots are now available and recommended annually, said DiGiorgio. They are seasonal, which means they are evaluated every year according to what strain seems to be prominent, she said. They are designed to last through the flu season which is August through June.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, flu viruses constantly change. A flu vaccine is made to combat three to four viruses that are projected to cause the flu that year. Even if the vaccine does not perfectly match the virus, there may still be some measure of protection.

The CDC also claims that a flu shot does not cause flu.

Certain groups of people are more at risk and especially encouraged to get vaccinated, according to the CDC. The very young and the elderly, pregnant woman, and those with weaker immune systems due to conditions such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes should be vaccinated.

As for measles, DiGiorgio said there was an outbreak in lower Michigan earlier this year that has since been resolved. In addition, those born before 1957 are considered immune because they lived in an era when measles were frequent and they were likely exposed then, she said.

Measles vaccinations are mandated for school entry, but for those not vaccinated, there is a series of two vaccinations. Whether or not to get vaccinated depends on age and occupation, she said.

The health department also does travel medicine based on where a person is going and does vaccination for all ages.