Flu shots now available by appointment only at VMH Community and Home Care

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is now offering flu shots on an appointment-only basis. Appointments can be made by calling 563-568-5660. When the appointment is made, instructions are given for the private location the immunizations will be administered.

Those with an appointment to receive their flu shot should remain in their vehicle until the nurse comes to get them and should bring along their insurance or Medicare card.

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 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 three months pregnant during influenza season.
· People six 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.

Check with your local family practice provider if you have any questions about your eligibility for the influenza vaccination.

For more information or to make an appointment for a private flu shot, call Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care at 563-568-3411.