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The flu
season cometh
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Vaccinations begin Oct. 2
[September 24, 2007]
The Logan County Health Department will begin
giving flu vaccinations on Oct. 2. Flu vaccine will be available at
the health department, 109 Third St. in Lincoln, from 7:30 a.m.
until 4 p.m. and on the HOPE Mobile during its regularly scheduled
stops.
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 The health department will be closed on Oct. 8 for the Columbus Day
holiday.The cost of the flu vaccine will be $25. It will be free
for those on Medicaid, Medicare and All Kids. State of Illinois
employees and retirees can also receive a free flu vaccination under
an agreement between the state and the health department, according
to Mark Hilliard, administrator of the local health department.
"Don't let prior year's vaccine shortages prevent you from being
vaccinated," said Hilliard. He said there is an adequate supply of
flu vaccine this year.
"Anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can
get vaccinated," said Margie Harris, director of nursing at the
health department. "However, certain people should get vaccinated
each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having
serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those
at high risk for serious complications."
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
people at high risk for complications from the flu include children
from 6 months of age until their 5th birthday, pregnant women,
people 50 years of age and older, people of any age with certain
chronic medical conditions, and people who live in nursing homes and
other long-term care facilities. In addition, people who live with
or care for those at high risk for complications from flu should be
vaccinated. That includes household contacts of people at high risk
for complications from the flu (see above), household contacts and
out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these
children are too young to be vaccinated), and health care workers.
Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through the
coughing or sneezing of people who have influenza. That's why it's
important to practice proper coughing and sneezing etiquette by
covering your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, or coughing
into your elbow, said Harris.
[Text from file received
from the Logan
County Health Department]
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