Be fully informed before getting flu vaccination

Be fully informed before getting flu vaccination

EDITOR:

Going to a flu shot clinic sponsored by the Mahoning County Board of Health soon? You might be interested in knowing the safeguards that should be in place to protect you in the event you have an adverse reaction to the vaccine.

The influenza vaccine, since 2005, has been covered under the National Vaccine Immunization Compensation Act. Therefore, when the flu vaccine is administered it must be done in accordance with specific rules. First, when the influenza vaccine is administered it is to be recorded in a person’s permanent file, together with the vaccine manufacturer, lot number and name and address of the administering health care provider. Second, the health department is required to document any adverse reactions to the influenza vaccine when it is administered through one of its clinics. Third, the health department is required to follow up with the person receiving the influenza vaccine within seven days as set forth in 42 USC Sec. 300aa-25. And finally, the health department is required to provide an adequate number of qualified staff during a clinic to handle potential serious adverse reactions to the vaccine.

 I personally attempted to verify that these safeguards, dictated by the NVIC, were in place by contacting the board of health. Unfortunately, the letter I received in response did not answer a single question I had posed to them. Therefore, I fear it’s possible that the Mahoning County Board of Health may not be in compliance with these federal regulations. Please take this article with you, and check with them before receiving the vaccine for your own safety. Education before vaccination is the smart way to go.

ANDREA KELLER

Canfield

When it comes to safety
in schools, never assume

EDITOR:

The Oct. 12 Vindicator editorial was very interesting. Surely everyone missed something when the young man entered the school with loaded weapons. I understand that some of the parents had petitioned the school to install metal detectors. Apparently the school officials did not see the need for such a device.

On Oct. 11, I read the article concerning a 13-year-old girl who attends one of our Youngstown city schools. The mother was charged because she could not control the child and from what was written, the police will not control her. The article quoted something the girl said. She threatened to “have the school knocked down.”

I think that it would be beneficial for the powers that be to pay more attention to what was said before it is too late. Just because we all choose to hide our heads in the sand and say “it could never happen here” does not mean that it won’t happen here.

FRANCES L. SINGLETON

Youngstown

Ohio could use the money

EDITOR:

The Oct. 10 article on a gaming center in Columbiana County stated the games make $250 million a month statewide. The state has filed a lawsuit against this type of gaming. Once again state officials have their heads in the sand.

It’s tragic that Ohio voted twice for Bush and that every state that borders Ohio has some form of legalized gambling and Ohioians make mass exodus to these venues to spend money.

I suggest that the state legislature legalize the aforementioned gaming centers and then tax the hell out of them. Twenty per cent would generate $600 million a year.

Oh, wait. Ohio does not need that extra money. We have excellent health care for everyone, employment opportunities, educational funding, fully staffed safety forces, solid infrastructures, housing for the homeless, no dug problems, etc.

RICK BERGER

Boardman