Community Flu Clinics continue to be held at various locations in area

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health will continue offering a series of community Flu Clinics over the next few weeks at the following locations in Allamakee County:

Wednesday, October 13: Walk-In Clinic at Veterans Memorial Hospital, 9-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-4 p.m.
Thursday, October 14: Walk-In Clinic at Northeast Iowa Wellness Center, Postville, 1-4 p.m.
Friday, October 15:  Walk-In Clinic at New Albin Town House, 9 a.m.-Noon
Wednesday, October 20: Walk-In Clinic at Harpers Ferry Community Center, 9-11 a.m.
Wednesday, October 20: By appointment only at Veterans Memorial Hospital, 1:30-6 p.m. Call 563-568-5660 to schedule an appointment.
Friday, October 22: Walk-In Clinic at Lansing I.C. Church Parish Hall, Noon-3 p.m.
Wednesday, October 27: Walk-In Clinic at Veterans Memorial Hospital, 9-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-4 p.m.

Quadrivalent Flu vaccine will be available at all of these clinics. Senior High Dose flu will be available until supply runs out. Billing for Medicare will be completed by the Community and Home Care staff, but participants will need to bring their physician’s name and their Medicare number with them to any of these clinics listed.
                 
Influenza Vaccine
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 Centers for Disease Control now recommends that everyone age six 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.

An annual flu shot is also encouraged for:

• Healthy children  six to 23 months of age.
• Household contacts and out-of-home caretakers of infants from newborn to 23 months of age, especially those younger than six 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.

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.