Published: April 06, 2007 01:35 am      

National Public Health Week under way

‘Preparedness and Public Health Threats: Take the First Step’ this year’s theme

FAIRMONT — Since the Marion County Health Department received the shots earlier this year to prevent the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to cervical cancer, five girls have started the vaccination process.

That number disappoints Cyndee Kiger, the director of nursing at the health department, but National Public Health Week, which lasts through Sunday, gives her the opportunity to discuss all the services her office provides.

In addition to giving immunizations every week from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, the department conducts inspections of hotels and restaurants, provides family planning and breast and cervical cancer screenings, and food handler classes and certifications.

The Marion County Health Department also would act as the lead local agency in a crisis situation such as a terrorist attack or disease outbreak. Currently, the health department, like many other counties and organizations, is focused on how to respond if pandemic flu were to break out.

“We would work closely with other agencies in our area,” Kiger said. “We would work with Fairmont General Hospital, Fairmont State, the Marion County school system, the police and first responders,” she said.

In fact, this year’s theme, Kiger said, is “Preparedness and Public Health Threats: Take the First Step.”

President Bill Clinton proclaimed the first Public Health Week in 1995, and a theme is chosen each year. The American Public Health Association (APHA) serves as the lead organizer of the observance, working in conjunction with 50,000 members and hundreds of organizational partners, according to its Web site, www.apha.org.

Kiger noted that those getting any immunizations, including the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, do not need to discuss any past sexual activity.

She also noted that, “I would like to see more parents recognize this as a vaccine-preventable disease instead of a sexually transmitted disease vaccine.”

The vaccine protects against four strains of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer.

“It’s expensive in private practice,” she said. “It’s an expensive vaccine to purchase. Some private providers aren’t offering it because there is still some insurance companies not covering it. It’s a financial risk to them.”

The vaccine is available at the health department to girls ages 11 to 18, and those interested should call and see if they are financially eligible.

More people are coming in for Menactra, the vaccine against bacterial meningitis, especially now that West Virginia University has mandated it for all new incoming students, not just those who live in the dormitories.

Children can get the vaccine as soon as they turn 4, she said. Parents do not need to wait until the child turns 5. And anyone under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied by a parent or guardian and parents need to bring a copy of the child’s immunization records.

Kiger would like to encourage both college students and even the parents of younger children, such as kindergartners, to bring their kids in sooner rather than wait until closer to school time for the Menactra vaccine.

To contact the Marion County Health Department, call (304) 366-3360.

E-mail Mary Wade Burnside at mwburnside@timeswv.com.