“The Commonwealth Health Clinic’s emergency room and private clinics on Saipan have been witnessing an alarming number of adults, elderly, and children with prolonged high fevers, headache, body ache, and persistent drug cough; all of which are hallmark symptoms of the flu,” health officials said.
In a press briefing, Dr. Shirish Balachandra, the new Public Health medical director, said everybody is susceptible to the flu, but young children are more vulnerable.
Also vulnerable are adults with asthma, those with chronic illnesses, and those who are pregnant.
Jeremy Sasamoto, CHC immunization program manager, said the department received 18,000 doses of the new seasonal flu vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
By the end of November, he said, they are expecting an additional 830 vaccines.
Roxanne Diaz, Public Health program analyst and special assistant to Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez, said they have enough manpower to conduct the vaccination program.
This Monday, she said health personnel will start vaccinating Head Start children.
Yesterday, they started distributing vaccine information and consent forms for the parents.
No consent no shot, Diaz said.
Balachandra said “getting vaccinated is the single best way to protect against the flu and an important step in minimizing the risk and severity of flu infection.”
The new flu vaccine is safe and is recommended for all persons older than six months old, he said.
John M. Tagabuel, environmental health officer and deputy secretary for public health administration, said the new flu vaccines are now available at the CHC’s immunization clinic, the children’s clinic, the Pacific Medical Center, the Medical Associates of the Pacific at Dr. Ada’s Clinic, the Marianas Medical Center, the Saipan Health Clinic, the Tinian Health Center and the Rota Health Center.
