Health Department offers early flu shot clinic Sept. 9-11

From press release

Winnebago County Health Department will offer an early flu vaccination clinic at Heartland Community Church, 1280 S. Alpine, during the following hours: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Sept. 9-10; and 8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Sept. 11.

The Health Department’s Health Promotion program will provide flu and pneumonia shots, along with various blood tests, tetanus and diphtheria shots (TD), and tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis shots (Tdap).

Cost is $30 for a flu shot (or covered by Medicare Part B or Medicaid); $45 for a pneumonia shot (or covered by Medicare Part B); $15 for lipid panels (requires a 10-hour fast); $15 for a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP); $25 for a TD shot; and $45 a Tdap shot.

A complete flu clinic schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Winnebago County Health Department recommend the single best way to prevent the flu is to get the annual flu vaccine.

The CDC and the Winnebago County Health Department recommend everyone 6 months of age or older should be vaccinated against the flu as soon as the 2010-2011 season vaccine is available.

People at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children; pregnant women; people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease; and people 65 years and older should make getting vaccinated a priority.

Vaccination is also important for health care workers and others who live or care for high-risk people. Children younger than 6 months of age are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for them should also be vaccinated.

Last year, two separate vaccines were recommended—a 2009 H1N1 vaccination, and a seasonal influenza vaccination. This flu season, only one influenza vaccination is necessary. However, children younger than 9 years old who are being vaccinated for the first time need a second dose four or more weeks later to be protected.

The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus, and the 2009 H1N1 virus. This years’ flu vaccine is safe, is made the same way as past flu vaccines and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Other preventive actions to stop the spread of germs and to prevent the flu include the following:

• Clean your hands—Wash your hands with soap and warm water after coughing, sneezing or using the bathroom.

• Cover your nose and mouth—Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow—not your hands.

• Contain your germs—Stay home if you have the flu. If you have fever or chills and a cough or sore throat, call your doctor.

For more information about the 2010-2011 flu season, visit the Winnebago County Health Department website at wchd.org, or the CDC at cdc.gov.