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Plenty of flu vaccine available this fall
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By Angie Hutschreider
News Tribune
There's no shortage of flu vaccine locally, and now is a good time to get an immunization shot.
That's the message from Cole County Health Department Immunization Coordinator Susan Long, who added, “The best line of defense against getting the flu is getting the flu vaccine.”
While there have been no cases of the flu reported in the state, Long said it's time to start taking precautions because the vaccine usually protects a person for about four months.
“So now is the perfect time to get (a shot), since it will cover the patient through January and early February, which is when we see the most cases of the flu,” said Long, a registered nurse.
Unlike years past, there is no shortage of flu vaccine. Both local hospitals, the Jefferson City Medical Group, and the health department all reported having good supplies.
Long said this year marked the first time in many years when the vaccine was delivered early. The health department's supply arrived in August.
“Last year, like most other places, we had a problem getting the vaccines here early in the season,” Long said. “By the time we did get them, some people thought it was not worth it any more.”
Long added it's always worth getting the vaccine, because some people present flu-like symptoms or the flu itself as late as May or June, even though the flu season is generally considered to run from November through March.
Everyone is encouraged to get the vaccine, especially those considered at high risk for flu complications.
According to health officials, those at the highest risk who should get a vaccine are:
€ Children ages 6 months to 5 years old.
€ People over the age of 50.
€ People of any age with chronic health conditions.
€ Health and child-care workers.
€ People who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.
Representatives from several local health-care agencies reported their facilities have already vaccinated employees, or will begin doing so by the first part of November.
In addition to getting the vaccine, there are other steps people can take to help protect families against the flu and other illnesses.
“Besides getting the flu vaccine, handwashing is the best line of defense,” Long said, noting it's also important to cover coughs and sneezes, avoid people who are ill and to stay home when you're sick.
The clinics at St. Mary's Health Center have the vaccines available for patients, the health department will begin clinics Oct. 30, JCMG began patient clinics Monday and Capital Region Medical Center has vaccines available now at its clinics.
That's the message from Cole County Health Department Immunization Coordinator Susan Long, who added, “The best line of defense against getting the flu is getting the flu vaccine.”
While there have been no cases of the flu reported in the state, Long said it's time to start taking precautions because the vaccine usually protects a person for about four months.
“So now is the perfect time to get (a shot), since it will cover the patient through January and early February, which is when we see the most cases of the flu,” said Long, a registered nurse.
Unlike years past, there is no shortage of flu vaccine. Both local hospitals, the Jefferson City Medical Group, and the health department all reported having good supplies.
Long said this year marked the first time in many years when the vaccine was delivered early. The health department's supply arrived in August.
“Last year, like most other places, we had a problem getting the vaccines here early in the season,” Long said. “By the time we did get them, some people thought it was not worth it any more.”
Long added it's always worth getting the vaccine, because some people present flu-like symptoms or the flu itself as late as May or June, even though the flu season is generally considered to run from November through March.
Everyone is encouraged to get the vaccine, especially those considered at high risk for flu complications.
According to health officials, those at the highest risk who should get a vaccine are:
€ Children ages 6 months to 5 years old.
€ People over the age of 50.
€ People of any age with chronic health conditions.
€ Health and child-care workers.
€ People who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.
Representatives from several local health-care agencies reported their facilities have already vaccinated employees, or will begin doing so by the first part of November.
In addition to getting the vaccine, there are other steps people can take to help protect families against the flu and other illnesses.
“Besides getting the flu vaccine, handwashing is the best line of defense,” Long said, noting it's also important to cover coughs and sneezes, avoid people who are ill and to stay home when you're sick.
The clinics at St. Mary's Health Center have the vaccines available for patients, the health department will begin clinics Oct. 30, JCMG began patient clinics Monday and Capital Region Medical Center has vaccines available now at its clinics.
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