Flu clinics continue at VMH Community and Home Care

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care will be continuing its community flu clinics this month during regular immunization clinic hours on the following dates: November 7 from 1-6 p.m. and November 14 from 1-4 p.m.

The Community and Home Care Immunization Clinic is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, and a combination of flu and pneumonia vaccine will all be available. Tetanus shots will be offered as well.

Medicare does cover the costs with billing for vaccinations to be completed by the Community and Home Care staff, but participants will need to bring their physician’s name and their new Medicare number or private insurance card with them. Those who do not have insurance that covers these vaccines can also pay for them.

Influenza, also called “the flu”, can cause fever, chills, headache, cough, sore throat and muscle aches to people of any age, and can lead to pneumonia and even death. Most deaths caused by influenza occur in the elderly, the very young or people who have a compromised immune system.

The Center for Disease Control now recommends that everyone age six months of age and older get vaccinated against the flu every year. Check with a local family practice physician if having any questions about eligibility for the influenza vaccination.

For more information, call the Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Department at 563-568-5660.