Health Departments in Public Health District Four are beginning
to offer the flu vaccine. While flu season does not usually reach
its peak until December or later, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention recommends that individuals receive the flu vaccine
beginning in October. High-risk groups and those in close contact
with them are strongly encouraged to receive the vaccine now.
Groups that should receive the flu vaccine annually, beginning
in October, include:
• Persons age 65 or older.
• Children aged 6 to 23 months.
• Women who will be pregnant during flu season.
• All healthcare workers.
• Residents of nursing homes or other care facilities that
may house individuals with chronic health conditions.
• Adults and children with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular
problems, including asthma.
• Adults and children with suppressed immune systems.
• Caregivers and household contacts of individuals at high
risk for complications from the flu.
Children under age nine who are receiving the vaccine for the
first time should receive their first dose in October and a booster
dose one month later.
There are two types of vaccine available. The inactivated vaccine
("flu shot") is recommended for healthcare workers,
individuals over age 50, individuals with chronic health conditions,
and children under the age of 5. The nasal spray flu vaccine,
which contains live but attenuated (weakened) virus, is available
for healthy individuals ages 5 to 49, however at this time Fayette
County Health Dept does not carry this form of the vaccine.
You should not receive the flu vaccine if you are allergic to
eggs or to thimerosal (a preservative used in contact lens solution
and the flu vaccine). Talk to your doctor if you have had a serious
reaction to a previous flu vaccine.
The Fayette County Health Dept. will hold its traditional Flu
Clinic (when we concentrate on just giving flu shots and no appointment
is necessary to receive one) from Tuesday through Friday, Oct.
12-15, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The provision of other services
will be at a minimum during this time to accommodate as many
people as we can. We will of course continue to give flu vaccine
through December or until demand ceases, so if you are not able
to come during the first week of flu clinic: don't worry. You
can always come as long as quantities last.
You can reach the health department at 770-461-1178 x 5416.
Please check the recording first if you are inquiring about flu
shots. Hours of operation are M-F 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (last client
taken at 4:00).
