After floods, hundreds seek shots
Published 9:20 pm Thursday, September 7, 2017
- Michele Gerlach/For The News Rachel Dragulski gives a tetanus shot to Elmo Jackson. Jackson said he was fortunate in that his home didn’t flood, but he wanted to be cautious after stepping on a wire. Shots are available across the county.
Jefferson County Health Department officials said they administered 200 tetanus shots in the first two hours they were open Thursday, and are prepared to administer hundreds more shots on Friday.
“Anybody who has been wading in water, stepping on nails, been scratched or otherwise injured needs a shot,” Carrie Roberts of the Jefferson County Department of Public Health said.
Often called lockjaw, tetanus is a bacterial infection that causes painful muscle spasms and can lead to death. The tetanus vaccine has made tetanus a preventable disease.
A tetanus shot is good for 10 years, Roberts said.
“If you’re not sure when you had one, it’s better to be safe,” she said.
Free tetanus shots will be available again today in several locations, including:
• 7933 Viterbo Road, near the airport
• Bevel Oaks, from 9 a.m. until noon
• Nome, from 3:15 until 4:30 p.m.
• China, from 1 until 3 p.m.
Port Arthur Health Department
The Port Arthur Health Department will administer free DTaP shots from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. today at their office located at 449 Austin Ave. The shot includes diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines.
Mid-County cities
The Mid-County Cities of Nederland, Groves, and Port Neches have obtained 1,000 hepatitis “A” and 1,000 tetanus shots for local citizens.
These shots are for adults 19 years of age or older, and will be provided on a first come- first serve basis. A valid driver’s license, or ID showing residency in Nederland, Grove, or Port Neches is required.
The shots will be administered at:
• Village Square Shopping Center, 2825 Nall St., Suite 22, Port Neches, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, and Sat., Sept. 9, as long as supplies last.
