Immunization is the single most important method in the eradication of a disease, providing the majority of susceptible individuals get vaccinated, a concept called “herd immunity”. Smallpox was eradicated and Polio is almost eradicated. Some diseases still exist, but the numbers are kept at a minimum by continued immunization.
Compared to pre-vaccination days, we can truly say that diseases like measles, whooping cough, diphtheria and two bacterial causes of meningitis occur minimally in our community. Experts agree that infectious diseases cannot be eradicated by treatment alone — only effective vaccines are capable of this distinction.
It is unfortunate that the influenza virus mutates readily, and every season our bodies are attacked by new variants for which we have little or no immunity, thus necessitating annual vaccination. This year it is even more important to be vaccinated against the novel H1N1 influenza as almost all of us are susceptible to it; those over 60 seem to have some immunity from encountering a similar virus in their youth.
During any given year, about 10 percent of the population becomes infected with the flu; this season we are expecting a rate of 30 percent. We have already seen greater numbers of infected individuals, for this time of the season, when compared to previous years.
The H1N1 vaccine, which is manufactured in an identical procedure as seasonal flu vaccine, has been shown to be effective and safe. Approximately 7000 doses, consisting of both the live weakened nasal mist version and the inactivated injectable type, have been administered in the Lake Cumberland region. Side effects have been mild and identical to the seasonal flu vaccines of the past. The live attenuated vaccine is produced in such a way as to make the virus able to replicate only at a lower temperature than the inner body. It can only replicate in the nose, where the temperature is lower than the lungs and where it stimulates an immune response. Neither vaccine can give the flu; however, some individuals may experience low grade fever/headache as the immune system is activated.
The LCDHD is in the process of providing H1N1 vaccine for all children by conducting school based clinics; initial target is elementary schools, followed by middle and high schools. As more H1N1 vaccine shipments become available, other individuals in the CDC designated target groups will be included in future clinics.
Opinion
The role of immunization
obituaries
- Opinion
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Why not charter schools?
The number of parents choosing to home school their children has risen by 50 percent in the last five years. I believe this is a direct indicator of the frustration parents have in the interference of the federal government in dictating what their children should be taught.
State Representative Brad Montell announced the pre-filing of legislation that, if passed, would establish a charter school initiative in Kentucky. (House Bill BR 117) Kentucky is one of only nine states in the nation that does not have charter schools, helping place Kentucky at number 37 out of 50 states in quality of education.
In charter schools, if educators are performing below standard, they can be terminated, not reassigned or given additional training. Most charter schools are non-union and non-tenured, so an educator knows he/she must perform to a high degree of excellence to retain employment. They can increase their chances of advancement through performance incentives. -
Opinon: Don't Penalize Players for Being Good
Sports are intrinsically amoral.
Not immoral, as in evil. Amoral, as in indifferent to right or wrong.
That is not to say that you can’t do something immoral — something that flies in the face of conventionally accepted ideas of good and bad behavior — while playing sports. Look at Ndamukong Suh, the Detroit Lions defensive tackle who’s expected to be suspended for a game or two for stomping, apparently on purpose, another player during a Thanksgiving game with the Green Bay Packers.
Most Kentucky basketball fans would recall Duke forward Christian Laettner’s infamous stomp on UK’s Aminu Timberlake during the 1992 NCAA College Basketball Tournament, and think he probably deserved a fate similar to Suh’s.
But in and of themselves, there’s nothing morally good or bad about throwing a ball, or kicking a ball, or hitting a puck with a stick, or anything of that nature.
There are only the rules of the game. Break the rules, and the game has a system built in to penalize you for it. -
Road goes back to property owner
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Fool me once...
When putting pen to paper (or fingers to keypad), it is so easy to fall into the trap of wanting to denigrate those with opposing views relating to political beliefs and social issues. I try hard to constantly remind myself that there are two sides to every argument, and each side can be as passionate about their viewpoint as the other. It is tempting to accuse someone of being an idiot if we passionately disagree with them. The term “idiot” is used to describe someone who is weak minded, of low IQ, or incapable of learning. Anyone who reaches the hallowed halls of Congress or the Whitehouse is definitely not an idiot, but they can be misguided. George W. Bush, Yale graduate with a Texas size ego, and Barak Obama, Harvard graduate with a Chicago thug style political background, are two such men. -
What does it maen?
/11. An instantly recognizable reference. One of those references to an event that all United States citizens of a certain age will always recognize. We will always ask, “what were you doing when you heard” and the question will be answered without a second's delay. It was an event that seared itself into our national psyche along with other societal tremors. 9/11 ushered in a new age for the United States and the decade since has brought systemic changes to our society, some for the better, some for the worse. 9/11 revealed in us a willingness to help others at great risk to our own lives and uncovered a fear that we may not be as safe as we thought we were. 9/11 has been used as both reason and excuse for a lot of things, many not very reasonable.
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The day of indelible memories
On a normal day, in my average, everyday, normal life, I would be hard pressed to tell you what I had for dinner the previous day. No, I’m not suffering from dementia or Alzheimer disease. The mind of the average person does not register routine activities as important enough to be a lasting memory. Not so on September 11, 2001. I would venture to say that the majority of the people in America have some indelible memories of what they were doing that day.
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Dana Allen
Dana Michele Allen, age 25, of Somerset, departed this life on Sunday, April 25, 2010 in Lexington, Ky.
- Ruth Morris Ruth Morris, 66, of Somerset, Ky., passed away Friday, April 16, 2010, at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset.
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Betty Lou Payne
Betty Lou Payne, 70, of Somerset, Ky. passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at her home.
- Amidst the Tragedy
- More Opinion Headlines
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