Flu season is approaching as the days dwindle to October - the first month the Center for Disease Control (CDC) anticipates national outbreaks of the respiratory illness.
In Mid-Missouri, Capital Region Medical Center has seen two cases of influenza A this month. The Jefferson City Medical Group has already treated four cases of influenza, three of which were teenagers, said Dr. Emily George with JCMG. The early cases has George worried.
"It does make us concerned this could be a bad flu season," she said.
JCMG and other area health care facilities - St. Mary's Hospital, Capital Region Medical Center and the Cole County Health Department - are prepared to administer flu vaccinations. The health department received its flu vaccinations, through the company Fluzone, this week and will offer various types based on ages and preferences, Jessi Kempker, Cole County Health Department immunization coordinator said.
For those who fear needles, the health department has the flu mist, a light spray breathed in through the nostrils. Complications with the flu mist can arise with asthmatics though, Kempker said.
People ages 2-49 are eligible for the flu mist, she added. High-dose shots are available for those 65 and older, and pediatric Fluzone shots are given to children six months - the youngest someone can receive a flu shot - to 35 months. Younger children and the elderly typically have weaker immune systems, so they need specialty vaccinations. The health department will also host school-based flu clinics. Last year, Kempker said more than 2,100 students and staff were treated. Additionally in the 2014-15 flu season, the health department gave flu vaccines to about 400 through walk-in clinics and vaccinated more than 150 county employees.
Jaime Young, the health department's communicable disease and epidemiologist coordinator, said there's no way to tell what this year's outbreaks will look like locally. Timing, severity and length of the flu season changes annually, according to the CDC.
"It's impossible to predict the flu season," she said.
In the U.S., half of Americans choose immunization. Young said the best way to prevent being infected with the flu or passing it to others is to get vaccinated. According to the CDC, the flu kills 24,000 Americans a year on average. Influenza can lead to ear infections in children, George said, and pneumonia for children and adults.
"The flu shot is helping protect not only me," she said, "but the people around me too."
Getting vaccinated sooner is better, Kempker said. After a shot is administered, it takes two weeks to become effective, according to the CDC.
Cole County Health Department
The Cole County Health Department will offer pediatric vaccines (ages 6-35 months), Fluzone vaccines (3 years and older), high-dose vaccines (65 years and older) and flu mist. Pediatric vaccinations and flu mist will cost $21; Fluzone vaccine for ages 3 years and older are $20; and high-dose vaccines are $31. Publicly-funded vaccines can be administered to those with Medicaid, under insured and not insured. Those with insurance can have their insurance billed.
The department's operating hours are: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Tuesdays and 12:30-3:30 p.m. Thursdays for children birth to 6 years; and 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday for ages 7-18 and adults. The health department is located at 1616 Industrial Drive in Jefferson City.
Jefferson City Medical Group
The Jefferson City Medical Group (JCMG) will offer flu shots to established patients ages 6 months to adult and high-dose vaccines for patients 65 years and older. Vaccinations will be available during evening clinics from 5-6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays throughout September and October (Sept. 22 and 29, and Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27). Appointments aren't needed. Patients must bring an insurance card and costs will vary based on benefits.
JCMG is located at 1241 W. Stadium Blvd. For more information, call 573-635-5264 or go to www.jcmg.org.
Capital Region Medical Center
Capital Region Medical Center (CRMC) will offer flu shots 6:30-8:30 a.m. on Oct. 6 and 21 at the Sam B. Cook Healthplex, located on 1432 Southwest Blvd., in conjunction with its cholesterol screenings. High-dose vaccines will be available for older adults at the healthplex.
CRMC physicians will also administer flu vaccines during upcoming health fairs at its rural clinics: Sept. 24 in Linn, Sept. 29 in Eldon, Oct. 7 in Versailles and Oct. 16 in California. Flu shots cost $25, or if applicable to be filed with Medicare. For $10, people can purchase a health assessment.
SSM St. Mary's Hospital
SSM Health Medical Group will offer flu shots to its patients, who can make appointments with a nurse. Patients need to bring their insurance cards to their appointments and costs will vary depending on insurance benefits.