Flu clinics scheduled

By Staff, 09/8/17 1:56 PM

flu-season

PRESCOTT – The mass flu clinic done annually by the Nevada County Health Unit has been scheduled and will be earlier than usual.

Debbie Henderson, NCHU administrator, said this year’s clinic will be at the Nevada County Fairgrounds on Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. It will be a drive through clinic, unless the weather’s bad, in which case it will be moved inside the Potlatch building.

Henderson said this is a no-cost clinic, meaning there will be no out-of-pocket expense for those getting a flu shot during this event. However, those coming for a flu shot are asked to bring their insurance, Medicare or Medicaid cards. There will be only one shot for everyone, she added, and no flu mist. Those six months and up are eligible for flu vaccinations, except for those who have a serious allergy to eggs. The vaccine will be a quadravailent, to cover the four most likely types of flu to occur this year. All vaccine is made using dead virus.

Henderson said it takes about two weeks for the body to build up antibodies after getting vaccinated. Anyone getting the flu in the interim had, most likely, already been exposed before getting the vaccine.

The forms, she said, have been simplified and made easier to fill out with fewer questions since there’s only one vaccine for everyone.

The school and mini-mass clinic for the Nevada School District will be Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Students will be given their shots during school hours in the library, while the public is invited to come and get a flu shot after school.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses. These viruses are likely spread through the air and physical contact. Cases of the flu can be mild to severe and result in hospitalization or death.

Flu symptoms include: fever or feeling feverish, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and in some cases, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Most people, according to the CDC, are contagious a day before developing any symptoms and for five to seven days after symptoms show.

The flu can be prevented. The CDC suggests people get an annual flu vaccine, avoid sick people whenever possible, wash hands frequently and keep fingers out of the eyes, nose and mouth.

Typically, the flu seasons runs from October until March, with Dec.-March being the peak months. February tends to be the worst month for flu.

Flu shots, Henderson said, will be available at the NCHU after the clinic, but will require payment, the amount hasn’t been determined at this time. But, if a person’s insurance pays for the vaccine, or they have Medicaid or Medicare, they need to present their cards and should be able to get a flu shot at no cost.

 

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