Flu and COVID vaccines – there’s still time!

There’s still time to receive the flu and COVID vaccines. A flu vaccine is the best way to help protect yourself and your loved ones against flu and its potentially serious outcomes.  A flu shot can safely help prevent the flu and lessen flu symptoms if you do get sick. A flu shot also can help protect your baby from flu for several months after birth.

Every year flu puts thousands of children in the hospital. Getting your child a flu vaccine can lessen flu’s more serious symptoms - reducing the risk of serious illness and flu-related hospitalization if they do get sick.

The flu and COVID vaccines continue to be offered each Wednesday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee Public Health. Flu shots are recommended for all those who have not yet received the vaccine, and they will be effective throughout the rest of the flu season.

According to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, flu vaccines are proven to help prevent millions of illnesses and have been shown to reduce the risk of having to go to the doctor by 40-60%. COVID-19 vaccines help protect by creating an antibody response without having to experience potentially severe illness or post-COVID conditions. Although it is still possible to get sick after being vaccinated, flu and COVID immunizations are proven to help prevent severe illness, which can be lifesaving.

Allamakee Public Health offers Comirnaty (Pfizer) COVID vaccine. Anyone can receive Pfizer vaccine, even if Moderna vaccine was given in the past. According to the CDC, it is safe and effective to receive multiple immunizations, such as the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, during the same vaccination appointment. Medicare, Medicaid and most insurances do cover the cost of the flu and COVID vaccine.

The CDC now recommends that everyone age six months of age and older get vaccinated against the flu every year. For those who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, flu vaccination is especially important. These groups include:
• Adults 65 and older
• Adults with certain chronic health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease
• Pregnant people
• Children younger than five years of age, but especially those younger than two years old.

For more information or to make an appointment for a vaccination, call the Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Department at 563-568-5660. The Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Department is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.