H1N1: The vaccine

Arrival set for mid-October

By Edwina P. Garza

MISSION — While the public prepares for an unusual flu season that includes the seasonal flu and the novel H1N1, manufacturers are working on producing the H1N1 vaccine that is expected to be ready to administer later this month, health officials said.

“Patients just need to stay in contact with their doctors,” said Dr. Brian Smith, the Texas Department of State Health Services regional director based in Harlingen. “They know what’s going on.”

Priority groups are urged to get the vaccine as it becomes available. The first priority groups recommended to receive the H1N1 vaccine are pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than six months of age, health care and emergency medical services workers who care for patients, children six months through four years of age, and children five through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions, according to Centers for Disease Control.

Others who should be vaccinated against H1N1, when the vaccine becomes available, include people age five to 24 years old, and people 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. Health officials are hopeful that only one dose of H1N1 vaccine will be required, but are currently planning for the possibility that two doses will be necessary.

The CDC estimates the H1N1 vaccine will be available by mid-October and in Texas the Department of State Health Services will manage the distribution. It is estimated that 45 million doses will be available nationwide.

Eddie Olivarez, the chief administrator for the Hidalgo County Health & Human Services, said he expects there to be a lot of confusion once the vaccines arrive. For the distribution of the vaccine, Olivarez said he expects most shots to be given in the private sector, but said he also plans on working with local stores to hold clinics, if possible. He’s also been working to encourage obstetricians to be H1N1 vaccine providers. School districts have also expressed an interest in holding clinics for the vaccine, but in September, Olivarez said he couldn’t comment on which districts.

The volume of people seeking the vaccine may overwhelm the county and local health providers, but Olivarez said county staff is prepared.

“Operation Lone Star demonstrates that the county has partners that can handle the load of people,” he said. “It may be frustrating and complicated at first, but it’s expected.”

Olivarez said a united effort in local organizations would also help ease the stress from the first few weeks.

“We’re dealing with thousands of people,” he said. “We’re doing just what we can with what we got. There are a lot of heroes in this community. Will it be enough? I hope it is. There is enough desire to make this work.”

Smith said the H1N1 vaccine is very similar to the seasonal flu vaccine and explained that there aren’t any unusual risks or side effects with the shot. While there may be concerns that residents will overwhelm the medical community with the need for the vaccine, Smith said he was confident there was enough of the vaccine made to help people who want to get it.

“We want everyone to get it,” Smith said. “It’s important for providers give the vaccine, that would be preferable.”

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas announced last week it would waive the co-pay and deductible for the vaccine.

“Because the H1N1 virus is expected to be a serious threat this flu season, we want to be proactive in encouraging our members to protect themselves as early as possible,” says Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, vice president and chief medical officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. “This effort supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations and stresses the importance of receiving vaccinations for individuals who are at higher risk of medical complications from H1N1.”

Despite the vaccine, medical and state officials still encourage people to practice good hygiene and take the necessary precautions to avoid respiratory illnesses. Those precautions include staying home when sick to avoid spreading illness to others; coughing or sneezing into the crook of your elbow or a tissue and properly disposing of used tissues; and washing hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Mission Fire Department stresses fire safety

Several select firemen from the Mission Fire Department have received special training, but not the kind of training you’d expect. It’s not about how to extinguish fires, but rather how to teach kids about fire safety – an important message during October, Fire Prevention Month.

Ruben Gutierrez, Gene Palacios, Frank Cavazos and Tony Trevino Jr. will re-introduce the popular clown program. The four firemen have received specialized training at Texas A&M University on how to be a clown – a clown with an important purpose. The two-week seminar teaches firemen how to write skits and other important techniques that help get the message across to young children in a fun and entertaining way. They even learn how to put on clown make-up.

These specially trained firemen will be taking their fire safety message to elementary schools throughout the Mission area as well as Head Start programs, churches and Faith Christian Academy. The Jr. High schools will also have fire safety programs, but not the clowns. The clowns are intended more for the elementary age audience, said Mission Fire Marshal Gilbert Sanchez, who oversees the department’s fire safety programs.

The Mission clown program will get a jump-start on National Fire Prevention Week, which is officially Oct. 4-10, with a fire safety program at Pearson Elementary. The foursome will visit other schools throughout the month, plus they will be at the Bryan Elementary Fall Festival on Oct. 24 and at Mission Regional Medical Center on Oct. 28.

The firefighters will teach the children about smoke detectors, when to call 911, the dangers of playing with matches and lighters and other fire safety tips.

Dial 2-1-1 for Flu Advice

Texans can now dial 2-1-1 to receive over-the-phone medical guidance about what they should do if they or a family member have flu symptoms.

The state’s 2-1-1 health information helpline is now staffed with medical professionals who can provide information about managing flu symptoms and advice on when to seek medical care from a physician or emergency room.

“We want to help people make informed decisions about how to care for themselves and their families,” said Dr. David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services. “Most H1N1 and seasonal flu cases can be successfully treated at home, without having to go to the doctor or without an unnecessary trip to the emergency room.”

The guidance is not intended to replace specific instructions people receive from their physicians, Lakey said.

The 2-1-1 staff also can provide general flu information and vaccine availability information for individuals and health care providers. Calls are answered round-the-clock. Callers are instructed to choose a language and then press “6” for flu information and guidance.

Basic flu symptoms include fever, cough and sore throat that usually come on suddenly. Most cases are relatively mild to moderate and do not need emergency treatment. Most people who have H1N1 flu or seasonal flu just need appropriate fluid intake, fever-reducing medication, rest and careful monitoring, Lakey said. Recovering at home also lessens the burden on the health care system.

People with underlying health conditions who think they have the flu should contact their health care provider.

The flu information and guidance service is provided through a DSHS contract with the 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

For more information about flu in Texas, visit DSHS’ www.TexasFlu.org.

TMC holds annual golf tournament

By Edwina P. Garza

PALMVIEW — Close to 50 golfers participated in last weekend’s Teaching & Mentoring Communities annual fundraiser this weekend, helping the organization secure funds to continue its mission of helping local children.

Held at the Martin Valley Ranch, TMC Chief Executive Officer Mary G. Capello said the group expected to raise around $15,000 at the second annual TMC Golf Tournament. Last year, the group raised $17,000.

The money will be used to help sustain the nearly dozen different services offered to local youth and their families, including Head Start, Early Head Start, Safe Haven, Communities in Schools, and Workforce Solutions, among 10 other programs.

“The success of our programs has always been the partnerships we have in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Capello.

TMC has provided early childhood education services to migrant families in the RGV for approximately 35 years. They assist children from Starr to Cameron and Willacy counties. Over 4,000 children and their parents are helped on an annual basis, TMC officials said.

Board members for the organization, which come from Las Vegas, Ohio, and New Mexico, along with the RGV and South Texas region, were also present at the event.

“The reason for the fundraiser is we’re trying to help these kids get out of the fields and under trucks and into classrooms,” said Board Member Leonel Lopez, explaining that if children don’t work in the fields, they often wait for their parents under trucks.

The goal is to get the students learning in classrooms with TMC’s certified teachers, he added.

Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, who has helped the TMC with legislation to get Head Start programs recognized by school districts in order to get funding for teachers, was also at the event golfing.

“I’ve worked with them for the past several years, and we’ve learned to really respect the organization,” Guillen said. “They do great work with Head Start programs across the Valley and across South Texas, and other southern states. I look forward to working with them closely in the future to nurture and provide a good educational foundation for South Texas youth.”

Scout project helps children

The public is invited to participate in a Backpack Drive to help local underprivileged elementary school children. The drive was started by Andrew Reyna as a project to earn his Eagle Scout rank. He is the son of Roel and Susana Reyna of Mission.

The community may donate any new or used backpacks by calling Reyna at 432-5568 or 862-5750 or E-mailing him at areyna3@broncs.utpa.edu. Backpacks can also be dropped off at the Progress Times office, 1217 N. Conway, Mission, between the hours of 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Monetary donations are also being accepted to purchase more backpacks. Checks should be made out to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the sponsoring organization for Reyna’s troop) and mailed to 715 S. Orange St., Mission, Texas 78573.

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