Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
HANCOCK – The kids are back in school, the fall colors are resplendent, and Western U.P. Health Department reminds you that now is the perfect time to consider seasonal flu shots for you and your family. The health department will host two walk-in flu shot clinics at its Hancock office on Tuesday, Oct. 16 and Wednesday, Nov. 7, both from 5-7 p.m.
The health department will host another flu shot clinic at its L’Anse office on Wednesday, October 17th from 3-6 p.m.
Two injectable vaccine options will be available at the clinics: standard quadrivalent flu vaccine and high-dose flu vaccine (available and recommended for adults age 65 and over). Insurance can be billed for clients who present a valid Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid/UPHP, Healthy Michigan, or Healthy Kids card. For those without Medicare or Medicaid coverage, the cost for a flu shot is $55 for high dose and $30 for adult. Many children qualify for free or reduced rates though the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program.
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It can cause mild to severe illness with symptoms like fever, body aches, sore throat, congestion and cough. Every year there are thousands of deaths in the U.S. related to influenza. And, while anyone can get the flu, older people, young children, and those with certain health conditions are at higher risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.
According to Dr. Terry Frankovich, WUPHD Medical Director, “it takes about two weeks to develop protective antibodies against influenza after you are vaccinated, so it is important to get your flu shot before the virus begins to circulate in your community or communities you visit. Flu season can arrive as early as October, so it is best to get vaccinated when vaccine becomes available in late summer or early fall.” Dr. Frankovich does note however that with flu season often extending well into the spring, it is almost never too late to get vaccinated.
The 2018-2019 flu vaccines will protect against three or four strains of influenza, depending upon the formulation you receive. In addition to a variety of injectable vaccines, the nasal flu vaccine will be available this year. It can be used in healthy individuals from 2 years through 49 years. The high dose flu shot is also available and may help seniors mount a more robust response to vaccination. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), any age-appropriate flu vaccine can be used, so you do not need to delay vaccination to obtain one particular formulation.
Annual vaccination is recommended for people aged 6 months and older, especially members of the following high risk groups:
⦁ Children younger than 5 years but especially children under two years
⦁ People aged 65 years and older
⦁ Those who have chronic lung (including asthma), heart, kidney or liver disease and those with neurologic, blood, or metabolic diseases (like diabetes mellitus)
⦁ People who are immune-suppressed
⦁ Women who are or will be pregnant during the influenza season
Other high risk groups include children on long-term aspirin therapy, nursing home residents, Native Americans, very obese individuals and healthcare workers. Vaccination is also recommended for household contacts and caregivers of high risk individuals.
For more information, call the health department at 482-7382.
