Officials with the Health Department said everyone six months of age and older should receive a flu vaccine. Getting vaccinated against flu remains the best way to protect oneself and everyone around them, including those at higher risk for complications from flu.
The Health Department offers flu vaccine to persons covered by Medicare Part B, Blue Cross Networks P, S or E, Blue Advantage, Railroad Medicare, TennCare, CoverKids and those who choose to pay by cash, credit card, or check. Uninsured and underinsured children can receive vaccine at reduced or no charge; uninsured adults, ages 19-64, may receive the federally funded injectable flu vaccine free of charge.
“Flu vaccine is widely available in our community and we recommend getting vaccinated as early in the season as possible,” said Connie Buecker, communicable disease program manager at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department. “This year we have seen multiple health threats emerge, both globally and here in the U.S. However, we can prevent the spread of flu and lessen its impact with a readily available vaccine.”
Many people avoid flu vaccination because they claim they never get sick, or they think the flu shot gives them the flu. Here are the facts:
During the 2013-2014 flu season, nearly 60 percent of flu-associated hospitalizations reported to the CDC were in people 18 to 64 years-old.
The flu shot contains inactivated (killed) flu viruses that cannot cause illness. The nasal spray contains weakened live viruses.
If you get the flu vaccine, you are 60 percent less likely to need treatment for the flu by a healthcare provider.
Getting the vaccine has been shown to offer substantial other benefits including reducing illness, antibiotic use, time lost from work, hospitalizations, and deaths.
Many parents who choose not to vaccinate their child have never witnessed the devastating effects of vaccine preventable diseases. As of Aug. 16, more than 105 flu-related deaths in children were reported to the CDC from 30 states; 90 percent of those children were not vaccinated and roughly 50 percent had no pre-existing condition.
“Children and adults who are otherwise healthy can experience serious complications from flu,” said Ms. Buecker. “Keep in mind that many more people die every year in the U.S. from the flu than have been reported from Ebola or the Enterovirus-D68 this year in all the affected countries combined. That’s why vaccination is critical.”
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
There are two different types of flu vaccines, trivalent and quadrivalent. The quadrivalent flu vaccine is designed to protect against four different flu viruses; two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses.
Flu Vaccine Options at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department:
The Health Department offers trivalent and quadrivalent injectable (shot) or quadrivalent nasal mist (FluMistTM) vaccine. Note: The federally funded free vaccine is for eligible adults and is available as a trivalent injectable (shot) vaccine. We will be receiving this supply within the next few weeks.
The flu shot is approved for people older than six months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
As an alternative to the flu shot, healthy, non-pregnant, people ages two-49 years may choose the nasal spray vaccine, FluMistTM. This year, for the first time, the CDC is recommending FluMist for children ages two to eight years as a preference for better immunity, but if it is not available, the injectable should be given at the earliest opportunity.
A high-dose, trivalent flu vaccine for persons 65 years and older is also available this year. Flu Vaccine Cost:
The cost of the quadrivalent flu shot or nasal spray vaccine is $35.
The high-dose flu vaccine will be available for $55 and can be billed to Medicare for those covered.
Pneumonia vaccine is available for $90.
Flu and pneumonia vaccines combined are $103.
Residents can schedule flu vaccination appointments by calling one of the following locations between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Third Street Clinic – 209-8050
Ooltewah Health Center – 238-4269
Sequoyah Health Center – 842-3031
Birchwood Health Center – 961-0446
In addition to vaccination, take steps to prevent the spread of flu and other contagious diseases:
Wash your hands often with soap and water; or use an alcohol based sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
Avoid close contact with sick people.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
Visit the website for more information, http://health.hamiltontn.org/.