More than 1,100 adults and children in high-risk categories have received the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccinations during clinics conducted at Williamson and Kermit by the Mingo County Health Department.

Department Administrator Cathy Headen said the department is receiving all the Swine Flu vaccine it needs at this time.

Approximately 656 persons received the vaccine during a Swine Flu clinic held at the National Guard Armory in West Williamson. Approximately 100 received the vaccine in a health department clinic held at the Kermit Community Center, and about 350 persons were administered the vaccine in a clinic held at the Mingo County Health Department offices in Memorial Building.

Headen confirmed the above figures after the Board of Health meeting Thursday in the lobby of the health department. Dr. Diane Shafer, vice chairman, conducted the meeting which also was attended by board members Franklin Cisco and Albert Totten; Dr. Manolo Tampoya, M.D. county health officer; Administrator Headen and Bernice Johnson, RNC.

Headen said those vaccinated included pregnant women, health care workers, emergency service personnel and children from age six months to 24 years. She added that persons from 25 to 64 years of age who have chronic medical conditions also were among those vaccinated.

Three Mingo County Health Department nurses and two volunteer nurses were vaccinators at the armory clinic, and three other volunteers helped with the paper work. She identified one of the backup nurses as Katrina Casey Clay, a nurse practitioner.

Headen confirmed that some persons refrain from taking the Swine Flu vaccination because of a fear of suffering adverse effects. She added that the health department has seasonal vaccinations each Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in its offices.

The health department offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26 and 27, for observance of Thanksgiving and will reopen on Monday, Nov. 30, for regular business.

The health department’s seven full-time employees will receive a holiday gift – a one-time supplement – as a result of the board of health’s approval.

Each employee will receive $150 with matching taxes of $81, and retirement $110 – a total output of $1,241 for the supplement. If a part-time employee is to benefit from the supplement, the total cost will be $1,418.

The Board of Health considered a letter of resignation received by Chairman Greg Smith from Nancy Johnson, RNP, (nurse practitioner), but took no action since the board did not receive it in time for the item to be placed on the meeting’s agenda.

Johnson advised the health department that she was resigning from the contract position of nurse practitioner because of continuing illness. She expressed her regret for delaying in making this final decision and added it was an honor to have worked for the health department.

The department has a new full-time Nurse I, Amanda E. Hinkle, who was employed by the Board of Health at a special meeting Oct. 29. Her annual salary is $29,400 with benefits, according to the minutes of that meeting. The board yesterday approved minutes of that meeting and its regular session of Oct. 8. Minutes of the Oct. 8 meeting reflect an addition to the health department office staff as a result of action of the Mingo County Commission. Bobbie Wellman was assigned to the health department to assist with clerical duties and began work last month.

Tina Lockard of the County Commission Finance Office reported a year-to-date revenue total of $132,341.55 for the health department after accounts payable checks were presented for payment. The unencumbered balance is $110,751.11.

The health board received written reports showing balances due from Family Planning and the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program. The total received for the two programs for September and October and for HIV was $3,712.12. In the year to date, the programs have received a total of $8,521.38.

Headen also presented to the board members written reports on the Nov. 17 Safety Committee meeting and a Threat Preparedness/PHER. She said several items that need to be completed before the December health board meeting are a fire drill with After Action Review; a facility inspection and a BRIM Loss Control questionnaire.