Health department hosts flu vaccine clinic
Reported November 03, 2007
The Houston County Health Department is hosting a flu vaccination clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, at Rozar Park in Perry.
The flu shot will cost $25. It will be available at no charge to residents with Medicare Part B cards.
Health department workers, who have been vaccinated with the flu vaccine, will be administering the shots on Thursday.
There will be plenty of flu vaccine available this year for people wanting the shot, according to Debbie Liby, county nurse manager at the health department.
Flu season in Middle Georgia generally begins in late December or January, she added. “That’s why it’s really important for people to get vaccinated at this point,” Liby said. This will enable the body enough time to make antibodies to protect itself, she said.
Despite what people may have heard, Liby said, the flu vaccine does not cause the flu.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta encourages the following types of people to get vaccinated: people at high risk for complications from the flu, including children six months to six years old; women who are pregnant during; people of any age who have certain chronic medical conditions; people 50 and older; residents of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities; and health care workers and caregivers.
The health department will also have pneumonia vaccines available during the clinic.
The pneumonia vaccines are recommended for anyone 65 and older who have a chronic illness such as diabetes, chronic lung, heart or liver disease, alcoholism, sickle cell anemia, or those who have had a choclear implant or splenectomy. Costs vary for individual patients. Those with Medicare Part B may receive the pneumonia shot free.
Flu and pneumonia vaccines will also be available at the health department for anyone not able to attend the vaccination clinic next week. Clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 98 Cohen Walker Drive, Warner Robins. No appointments are necessary.
For more information about the flu or pneumonia vaccines or other services provided by the health department, you may call 218-2000.
Healthy habits to prevent spreading the flu
Avoid close contact with those who are ill. If you are sick, keep your distance from others.
If you are sick, stay home. This will prevent others from catching the flu.
If you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth.
Clean your hands often to help protect you from germs.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth since surfaces may be contaminated with germs and transferred.
Other healthy habits to practice: Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food
SOURCE: CDC
