Kim Cupp, Health Commissioner at the Fulton County Health Department reminds residents that flu season is quickly approaching. One of the best ways to protect oneself from this respiratory illness is to get vaccinated. “Since February 2010, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended annual influenza vaccination for all people age six months of age and older.” Cupp reports there is plenty of vaccine available and that most insurance plans are covering the cost of this preventive health service. She also commented on how important it is for parents, siblings, and grandparents of infants under the age of 6 months to get vaccinated. This can help to prevent influenza in these little ones since they cannot be vaccinated themselves.
Your Health Department will provide flu vaccines by appointment every Monday beginning September 21st with the first adult “walk-in” clinic of the season to be held on Thursday, September 24th at the 606 S. Shoop Avenue location. There will also be appointment clinics for children and their parents as well as “walk-in” clinics at various locations throughout the county. This year all flu vaccines contain the A/California/H1N1-like virus, A/Switzerland/H3N2-like virus, and the influenza B/Phuket/2013-like virus (Yamagata lineage) strains. The quadrivalent vaccine contains the above three strains plus the additional B/Brisbane/2008-like strain (Victoria lineage). Your Fulton County Health Department provides quadrivalent vaccines for children and adults under the age of 64 to protect against four strains of influenza.
For those aged 65 and above, “high-dose” vaccine is administered. It protects against three strains of influenza viruses. This vaccine contains four times as much antigen per strain and provides a much higher immune response in this group. Researchers found that mature adults have better protection against “B” viruses than younger people due to previous exposure. Because it’s not likely that people over the age of 65 will become ill with a “B” strain of influenza, it’s much better for this person to get the “high-dose” vaccine.
So, as you head out to get your flu shots this year, be sure you get the “high-dose” vaccine if you are age 65 and older. If you are younger, be sure you are getting the “quadrivalent” vaccine. When you see flu shots advertised, you’ll notice that some are less expensive than others. Remember that you may not be comparing apples-to-apples! Quadrivalent vaccine will cost more, but will give additional protection. Ask the vaccine provider what type of vaccine is being given. Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans are paying for all types of influenza vaccines; be sure to check your plan’s coverage.
Your Health Department is contracted with seven health insurance companies, a majority of the Medicare plans, and Medicaid. For those who do not have insurance or a plan with which the Health Department is contracted, the cost is $40 for quadrivalent vaccine for children and adults through age 64. The high-dose vaccine for persons aged 65 and above is $55. A sliding fee scale is available for the administration fee if the person is uninsured. The important thing is to get vaccinated!
Approximately 36,000 people die in the U.S. each year of the seasonal flu and its complications. The symptoms of influenza include fever, chills, upper respiratory congestion with cough, body aches and fatigue. It takes about two weeks after receiving the flu vaccine for one to be protected against the flu, so the CDC recommends that people be vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available in your community. “Everyone is at risk for the flu”, Ms. Cupp states. “Take the time to get a vaccination for yourself and encourage your family members to do the same. “
The Fulton County Health Department will be offering vaccinations at 606 S Shoop Avenue and other locations on the dates and times listed below. For updates visit us on or our website at www.fultoncountyhealthdept.com
Clinic By Appointment:
Call 419-337-0915 to make appointment. Adults preferred. Mondays beginning September 21 through October 5, 8:30am –4:00 pm
Walk-In Clinics for Adults:
September 24 – 12:00 Noon – 6:00 pm
October 8 – 8:00 am-12:00 Noon
October 22 – 10:00 am–12:00 Noon
Mondays, beginning October 19, 2015, adults may walk in for flu vaccinations from 8:30am – 4:00 pm
Walk-In Clinics for Adults at other locations:
September 29 – 1:00-3:00 pm Fairlawn Haven Wyse Commons, Archbold
October 6 – 9:30 am-2:30 pm Road to Wellness, St. Caspar Church
October 29 – 10:00 am-2:00 pm Fulton County Senior Center, Wauseon
November 5 – 10:30 am-12:30 pm Northwest State Community College
Family Flu Clinic For children and their parents.
Call 419-337-0915 to make appointment.
October 8 – 2:00–6:00 pm
October 22 – 2:00–6:00 pm
Will also be given during regular immunization clinics when available 1st & 3rd Thursday of Every Month from 2:00-6:00 pm and every Friday from 8:30am-12:00 Noon
Community Walk-In Clinics (Adults and Children)
October 13 – Evergreen Community Library – 253 Maple St. Metamora, OH – 2:00-5:30 pm
October 15 – Swanton Public Library – 305 Chestnut St. Swanton, OH – 2:00-5:30 pm
October 20 – Fayette Opera House – 105 E. Main St. Fayette, OH – 2:00-5:30 pm
October 27 – Lyons Fire Station – W. Morenci St. Lyons, OH – 2:00-5:30 pm
November 3 – Archbold Library – 205 Stryker St. Archbold, OH – 2:00-5:30 pm
November 10 – Delta Open Door – 104 Monroe St. Delta, OH – 2:00-5:30 pm
INFORMATION PROVIDED
