By Keith Purtell
TAFT — Quick as a wink, Taft Mayor Lelia Davis got her H1N1 vaccine Wednesday at the Taft Resource Center.
It was administered by Devyn Denton, community health specialist appointed in October by the Taft City Council.
Denton said the one-day clinic was held to address the needs of small towns similar to Taft, population 300.
“This is in response to the health disparities of rural and underserved areas like Taft,” she said. “Some can’t drive to Muskogee or don’t have the information about whether the vaccine is a good thing or a bad thing.”
The clinic had 150 doses of H1N1 vaccine and 21 seasonal flu vaccines from the Muskogee County Health Department.
Denton said they got the word out about the clinic by any means necessary.
“We had a notice in the paper Sunday,” she said. “Taft has five churches, and the best way to communicate was through the churches. We had it on the community calendars on television channels 2, 6 and 8. We also got on the phone and sent text messages to people.”
Denton said this was the first such event in Taft, and she hoped it would lead to more health and education events.
“We want to leave this community better than we found it,” she said. “Without a well-educated woman in the household, she can’t take care of her family.”
Davis said she was glad for the cooperation that enabled them to get the vaccines.
“It’s a great opportunity,” she said. “I’m grateful for the fact that the MCHD (Muskogee County Health Department) helped us with this.”
Davis said the turnout was good and that she was the 22nd person by midday. She added that she helped get the word out by having the town clerk call surrounding areas.
Davis also said the H1N1 clinic will demonstrate the need for more health care.
“This will show the need overall and to have a free health clinic,” she said. “Today will show that there is a need here.”
What to do
If you’re interested in getting vaccinated for seasonal and/or H1N1 flu, the regular hours for Muskogee County Health Department's Flu Shot Clinics are Mondays and Fridays from 8 to 11 am and 1 to 4 p.m. Information: 683-0321.
Reach Keith Purtell at 918-684-2925 or Click Here to Send Email
