Local News The Crittenden Press Full Version (PDF) H1N1 clinic draws light turnout Crittenden County Health Department officials inoculated only 272 people for the H1N1 flu virus during Monday’s mass clinic at Crittenden Elementary School. The numbers were much lower than health officials had anticipated.
Targeted for the vaccine were students from preschool to fifth grade, their siblings and parents. Health workers had more than 600 doses of the vaccine available, but used less than half of it.
Crittenden County Health Department, working in conjunction with the Crittenden County School District, offered nasal and injectable vaccines. One hundred and nine opted for the nasal vaccine and 163 took shots.
According to Angie Dooms, director of nursing for the Pennyrile District Health Department, most of the doses were given to children. One hundred sixty four children and 108 adults were inoculated at the free clinic.
“The CDC (Center for Disease Control) highly recommends that these children get the vaccine,” Dooms said.
However, less than 25 percent of students in fifth grade or under, opted for the inoculation. Dooms said that based on CDC recommendations, local health officials would like to see more students receive the vaccine.
Any parent who wishes to have their child vaccinated outside the school may go to the health department. For more information, call the health department at 965-5215.
Another clinic for students, their siblings and parents will be held Monday afternoon at Crittenden Middle School. Middle schoolers need to have a parent present to get the vaccine between 4 and 5:30 p.m.. High school students do not. Their clinic is from 5:30 to 7 p.m., also in the middle school. NEXT CLINIC There will be another school clinic Monday at Crittenden Middle School. Middle school students can receive the vaccine between 4-5:30 p.m., and high schoolers from 5:30-7 p.m. Parents and siblings – or anyone who missed the first clinic this week – may also receive the vaccine Monday.
Mayor declars city leaf-burning ban Mayor Mickey Alexander on Monday issued a temporary leaf burning ban, effective immediately for all city residents.
Marion’s leaf vacuum truck has been inoperable for the past two weeks, prompting some residents to turn to burning as an alternative. That has already led to one damaging fire that destroyed an outbuilding in Marion.
“Fall weather in western Kentucky is generally too dry for such practice to be completely safe,” the mayor said.
Alexander imposed the ban for the hours of 6 a.m., to 6 p.m., the same hours that state law bans certain types of burning. In essence, burning is banned in the city during daylight hours.
“We realize that the disruption in our leaf collection operations is frustrating to property owners, but we hope to be back in business within a short time,” said Alexander.
He explained that a hydraulic reservoir on the leaf truck went bad and that the manufacturer, Giant Leaf Vac, has been unable to provide a replacement part in a timely fashion.
City Administrator Mark Bryant said residents would not be issued citations for burning, but would be directed by police or other city personnel to extinguish the blaze.
Once the city’s leaf collection service is back in action, citizens will be notified in the newspaper as to any schedule changes.