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NEW YORK (AP) — Two years ago, George Green got stabbing pain and bad blisters around his right arm. It was the worst case of shingles his doctor had ever seen.
“I said, ‘Wait a minute, I had the vaccine! How come I got this?’” recalled Green, a 68-year-old engineer in Austell, Georgia, who got the shot seven years earlier.
His doctor at Emory University, Dr. Sharon Bergquist, said about 10 percent of the patients she’s given the shingles shot have come back with the disease years later.
No vaccine is perfect, and it can take many years to find out how well a new vaccine works and how long it lasts. Sometimes, health officials have called for an additional dose when it became clear the first round wasn’t cutting it. But disappointing performance is also prompting drugmakers to pursue new vaccines for older patients, using new additives to boost effectiveness.
The issue of waning protection is expected to be discussed when the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meets in Atlanta. The two-day meeting opens Wednesday. The federal panel of experts recommends what vaccines children and adults should receive and when.
FLU
The annual flu vaccine is a particularly hard one to nail. The virus changes quickly and spreads easily. U.S. health officials make their best guess each spring about the formula for the next flu season. In four of the last seven seasons, the flu vaccine didn’t work much at all in people 65 and older, who can be hit hard by the flu because of weaker immune systems. Some doctors wonder whether those seniors who get a shot in September need another dose in January to protect them through the flu season — a question that hasn’t been well studied, said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University vaccine expert who works with the committee. There’s a relatively new vaccine for over 65 that includes an immune-boosting additive, but it hasn’t been around long enough to know exactly how well works.
The vaccine panel will hear an update about a nasal-spray version of flu vaccine that it stopped recommending after health officials said it wasn’t working in U.S. kids.
MUMPS
Mumps is best known for causing puffy cheeks, but sometimes can lead to hearing loss, meningitis and even loss of sterility. A mumps vaccine has been part of routine childhood shots for nearly five decades. Yet, there were 5,300 cases reported in the U.S. last year — the most in a decade — and so far the numbers this year are not far off. Illnesses in vaccinated people tend to be less severe, health officials say. Still, research suggests that 10 or more years after the second childhood dose, protection against the virus fades enough to help outbreaks take hold.
The federal panel is not expected to propose a third dose for all kids, but is talking about endorsing an extra shot where an outbreak occurs.
HEPATITIS B
The hepatitis B virus can destroy the liver and lead to death. New infections fell after vaccines became widely available in the 1980s and were later included in childhood shots. It is spread through contact with blood or other bodily fluids, and the vaccine is also recommended for some adults. Experts have noted signs of faltering protection, particularly in diabetics and older adults. Outbreaks in nursing homes and assisted living facilities have been a recurring problem.
Dynavax Technologies Corp. has developed an adult vaccine called Heplisav-B, which also uses a new additive. The shot showed impressive levels of protection in studies, but the Food and Drug Administration is seeking more information before deciding whether to approve it. The vaccine panel is expected to discuss it but doesn’t take a recommendation vote until a vaccine is licensed.
SHINGLES
Anyone who has had the chickenpox can get shingles, a painful condition that causes blisters, when the chickenpox virus resurfaces decades later. Merk’s Zostavax has been available for about a decade and it is recommended for people 60 and older. That’s the shot George Green got.
Zostavax only cuts the risk of getting shingles in half and lasts about five years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. On Friday, the FDA licensed a second shingles vaccine, GlaxoSmithKline’s Shingrix, which also uses a new additive. The vaccine committee is to decide whether to begin recommending it. Shingrix has been shown to be 90 percent effective and last at least four years in company-sponsored studies. Glaxo officials say they are confident it will last years longer. Experts say it will take many years to know for sure.

October 15, 1954 - October 25, 2017

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 30, 2017, in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Centerville during a 10 a.m. graveside service for Michael Charles Luke Sr., a native of Franklin and longtime resident of Bayou Sale who passed away at the age of 63 on Wednesday, October 25, 2017. Father Ruben Primor will conduct the service. Pallbearers will be Michael C. Luke Jr., Frederick “Fritz” Trappey Sr., Frederick “Lil Fritz” Trappey Jr., Dave A. Luke III, Lawrence J. Luke, and Russell Broussard. Honorary pallbearers will be Elby Champagne Jr. and Billy Cowart.

Michael was the type of person that made friends where ever he went. He truly never met a stranger. In his younger years Michael enjoyed a little hunting and a lot of fishing. He made a career in the Seafood Industry, primarily in soft shell crabs. In his later years he mostly enjoyed visiting with family and good friends. He will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.

Survivors include his two sons, Michael C. Luke Jr. and Theo “T.C.” Frederick; seven siblings, Mary Agnes Chedville, Ann L. Swallow and husband Garth, Marie L. Luke, Katherine L. Bateman, Zelda L. Edgil and husband John, Dave A. Luke III and wife Madalyn, and Lawrence J. Luke; two grandchildren, Michael C. Luke III and Kailyn LeAnn Luke; his best friend, Frederick “Fritz” Trappey Sr.; as well as a host of cousins, nieces, and one nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dave Alvin Luke Jr. and Agnes Angelle Hebert Luke; three brothers-in-law, Jackie Bateman, Elton Chedville, and G.P. Trahan Sr.; two nieces, Connie A. Bateman and Darren Luke; and three nephews, Don J. Bateman, Kenny Luke Chedville, and G. Paul Trahan Jr.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Stephanie and Jace Thibodeaux, as well as the staff of Heart of Hospice, especially Jennifer, Janie, Rebecca, and Chaplain Rickey for the loving care and compassion given to Michael in his time of need.

Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, La. 70538, (337) 828-5426.

(Paid Notice)

Sheriff Mark Hebert announced Friday that he will retire as Sheriff of St. Mary Parish effective January 7, 2018.
Effective January 8, 2018, current Criminal Chief Deputy Sheriff Scott Anslum will assume the office of sheriff. Hebert has served as sheriff since 2011 and has served in law enforcement for 34½ years.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your sheriff," Hebert said. "I announce my retirement with a heavy heart. As many of you know, my wife, Jill, is battling a serious illness and as much as I love being your sheriff, I feel it is my place to spend as much time supporting and being with her at this time. I am grateful for the outpouring of support I have received from the people of St. Mary Parish and the dedicated members of the Sheriff’s Office, who understand and support my decision. Jill and I are very thankful for the prayers and support we have received. I am confident that Scott Anslum has the experience, intelligence and leadership skills to continue our work of making the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office the best in Louisiana. I am also confident that the entire St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office will stand with him to continue the great tradition of this office.Again, I want to thank the citizens of St. Mary Parish for the opportunity to be your Sheriff. I ask for your continued prayers for Jill and me.”

A Christian burial for Patricia Marcotte Lee will be held at Ibert’s Mortuary in Franklin on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 2 p.m. with her nephew, Rev. Lyndon Marcotte officiating. Following the services, Patricia will be laid to rest in Teche Gardens Cemetery in Centerville. A gathering of family and friends will be held Saturday at Ibert’s from 10 a.m. until time of service.

Patricia was born on November 18, 1949 in Franklin and spent her early years in Verdunville. She attended Centerville High School and graduated in the Class of 1967. She entered eternal life at the age of 67 on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, at her home in Loreauville.

Patricia loved her family more than words could express. She had a life-long love of reading and a passion for history and genealogy. She was an amazing cook and loved to cook for her family and being surrounded by those she loved. She was proud of where she and her family came from, raised on and near the Atchafalaya Basin and surrounding bayous. She was very knowledgeable of her heritage and her parent’s family history.

Patricia cared deeply for others and was known by all who knew her for her sweet, gentle and caring soul. She loved and knew the Lord, our Savoir Jesus Christ first and foremost and enjoyed attending church. More than life itself she loved her children and grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Elwood “Red” and Katie Burns Marcotte, and her first husband, Robert P. Trahan.

Patricia is survived by her son, Baron and daughter-in-law Dayna Trahan of Gretna, La.; two daughters, Paige and son-in-law Heath Prados of New Iberia and Stephanie Lee of Loreauville; two loving grandchildren, Devin and McKinley Trahan; three siblings, Julie Marcotte of Bayou Vista, Elwood Marcotte, Jr. and partner Joel Ferrier of Alexandria and Cindy and brother-in-law Joe Fuhrer of Verdunville; six nieces and nephews; four great nieces and nephews; five aunts; and a host of cousins and friends.

Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, La. 70538, (337) 828-5426.

(Paid Notice)