Flu shots continue to be effective after the holidays and are still available at VMH Community and Home Care

Vaccination now can still provide protection for the remainder of the flu season, which can last as late as May. Flu Shots are still available at the Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Public Health Office. Flu shots are recommended for all those who have not yet received the vaccine and will be effective throughout the rest of the flu season.

Flu shots are available with an appointment each Wednesday afternoon during the weekly immunization clinic in the Community and Home Care Department located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital, Waukon. Appointments can be made by calling them at 563-568-5660.

Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, and a combination of flu and pneumonia vaccine are all available. The cost for a flu shot is $45. Medicare does cover the costs. Billing for vaccinations will be completed by the Community and Home Care staff, but participants will need to bring their physician’s name and their Medicare number or private insurance card with them. If you do not have insurance that covers these you can also pay for these vaccines.  

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 recommends that everyone age 6 months of age and older get vaccinated against the flu every year.

Flu shots are especially important for the following people:
• Anyone age 50 and over.
• Residents of long term care facilities with chronic medical conditions.
• Any child or adult, including pregnant women, who has a serious long-term health problem with heart disease, anemia, asthma, lung disease, kidney disease or diabetes, and in the past year had to see a doctor regularly or be admitted to a hospital.
• Women who will be more than 3 months pregnant during influenza season.
• People 6 months to 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment (these people could develop Reye Syndrome if they develop influenza)
• People who are less able to fight infections because of a disease he/she was born with or contracted (like HIV), are receiving treatments with drugs such as steroids or are having cancer treatments with x-rays or drugs.
• Anyone having close contact with people who are at high risk for contracting a serious case of influenza including health care workers and people living with high-risk persons.
• Influenza vaccines are also recommended for people in schools and colleges, people who provide important community services, people going to the tropics any time of the year and just anyone who wants to reduce their chance of catching influenza.

An annual flu shot is also encouraged for:
• Healthy children 6-23 months of age.
• Household contacts and out-of-home caretakers of infants from 0-23 months of age, especially those younger than 6 months.
• People who provide essential community services.
• People at high risk for flu complications who travel to the Southern hemisphere between April and September, or who travel to the tropics or in organized tourist groups at any time.
• People living in dormitories or under other crowded conditions, to prevent outbreaks.
• Anyone else who wants to reduce their chance of catching influenza.

Since the influenza viruses change frequently, they may not always be covered by the vaccine and the vaccine does not protect against other viral infections other than influenza.

Anyone receiving the influenza vaccination should be sure to tell their doctor or nurse if they have or have had any of the following symptoms:
• A serious allergy to eggs.
• A serious allergic reaction or other problem after getting the influenza vaccination.
• Were ever paralyzed by Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
• Now have a moderate or severe illness.

Be sure to check with your local family practice physician if you have any questions about your eligibility for the influenza vaccination.

While the flu vaccine is the best defense against getting influenza, it’s also important to take personal actions to help prevent the spread of illness. Remember the 3Cs: cover coughs and sneezes; clean hands frequently; and contain germs by staying home when ill.

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