Local-The Dubois County Health Department’s adult and pediatric seasonal flu vaccine is available daily from 8-11am and 1-3pm. On November 1st, the hours will be extended for flu vaccines from 8-11am and 1-5:30pm.
Available again this year will be High Dose Influenza vaccine for those over the age of 65. Human immune defenses become weaker with age, which places older people at greater risk of severe illness from influenza.
The Health Department is partnering with VaxCare, which will submit claims to certain private insurance companies and Medicare Part B. All Medicare and insurance cards must be presented at the time of service. Most insurance plans and Medicare Part B cover flu as preventative health.
By far, the single best way to prevent the flu is for individuals to get a vaccination each fall. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. No prescription is required and no appointment is necessary.
Pneumonia vaccine is also available.
Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.
The seasonal flu vaccine protects against four influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season.
While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications, such as:
- Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
- Adults 65 years of age and older
- Pregnant women
- People who have medical conditions including:
- Chronic lung disease
- Asthma (even if it’s controlled or mild)
- Heart disease
- Weakened immune system due to disease or medication
- Diabetes
- Smokers
Other people for whom vaccination is especially important are:
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and caregivers of children younger than 5 years of age with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children younger than 6 months of age (children younger than 6 months are at highest risk of flu-related complications but are too young to get vaccinated)
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk
People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
- fever* or feeling feverish/chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue (very tired)
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
Everyone can help protect themselves from the flu by practicing food health habits:
- Get plenty of rest
- Eat right
- Wash your hands
- Sneeze or cough into your shirt sleeve or tissue
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Don’t visit people who are sick
- Stay at home if you are sick
