County Health Department schedules flu vaccine clinic

Dr. John Treanor, an worldwide vaccine expert and chief of the Infectious Diseases Division at UR Medicine’s Strong Memorial Hospital, explains why it’s important to get a flu shot every year.

The health department of Staten Island, New York, also reminded parents of children aged 5 and below that their kids will need the flu shot before the year ends.

To reduce this threat, Dr. Chapman recommends the annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older, including pregnant women.

“It’s really not known why, during the colder months, these respiratory viruses seem to circulate, but they absolutely do” said Turner. “The flu vaccine protects you and your family, co-workers, and others”, Markell said.

“It depends on your income, but also we are trying to protect the public so we will help you find a few place that you can get it if you cannot afford those prices”, said Williams. Once a person receives a vaccine it takes about two weeks for your body to develop antibodies and protection from the flu.

“Last year their production was a little bit off as far as the strains, they are always predicting from the year before to see what to put in the flu shot for the next year, it was a little bit off, so it was maybe 30 percent effective last year”.

Find information on flu prevention for employers-including a guide called “Make It Your Business To Fight The Flu: A Toolkit for Businesses and Employers” at the CDC’s website. On average, at the peak of the season close to 180 patients can come through seeking treatment for flu like symptoms. “Other easy things everyone should practice to stay healthy include washing your hands often with soap and warm water, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when you’re sick”.

The last flu season had the highest hospitalization rate among seniors that the CDC had ever documented, and at least 145 children died from the flu.

No vaccine for children will be available at this clinic.

The misconception that the flu is harmless means people don’t get the vaccine or drag themselves to work and school when they’re sick – and that means more people who are at risk of getting seriously ill are exposed to the highly contagious virus.

Around 2,000 Muskingum County residents are now better protected from the flu virus. Check the Manitoba influenza website or contact Health Links at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free) outside of Winnipeg to check clinic dates, times and locations.