Flu shots continue each Wednesday at VMH Community and Home Care

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care continues to offer flu shots every Wednesday afternoon during their regular immunization clinics. The next flu shot clinics will be held Wednesday, October 24 from 1-4 p.m. and then again Wednesday, October 31 from 1-4 p.m. and each Wednesday afternoon thereafter. The Community and Home Care Immunization Clinic is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.

Immunization clinics are held from 1-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month, and from 1-4 p.m. all other Wednesdays. Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine and a combination of flu and pneumonia vaccine will all be available. Tetanus shots are always offered as well.

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 new Medicare number or private insurance card with them. Those who do not have insurance that covers these can also pay for these vaccines.

Influenza, also called “the flu”, can cause fever, chills, headache, cough, sore throat and muscle aches for 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.

Individuals are encouraged to check with their local family practice physician if they have any questions about their eligibility for the influenza vaccination. For more information, call the VMH Community and Home Care Department at 563-568-5660. Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.