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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 22, 2004


CONTACT: Columbia/Boone County Health Department
(573) 874-7355

High-Risk Flu Vaccine Clinic to be held at Columbia/Boone County Health Department Tuesday, Nov. 23
									
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - The Columbia/Boone County Health Department has received an additional supply of injectable flu vaccine and the intranasal flu vaccine FluMist*. A clinic will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 23, at the Health Department between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. (or until supplies last). Residents must meet at least one of the high-risk criteria to receive either a flu shot or the FluMist* vaccine. The following are high-risk guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
* All children aged 6-23 months
* Adults aged 65 years and older
* Persons aged 2-64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions
* All women who will be pregnant during influenza season
* Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
* Children 6 months-18 years of age on chronic aspirin therapy
* Health-care workers with direct patient care
* Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged < 6 months
	The flu shot will be offered at a cost of $10 a person. Forms of payment accepted will be a current Medicare or Medicaid card, cash and checks. The Health Department is not able to bill private insurance. Residents are asked to wear clothing that allows for upper arm exposure.  
	FluMist* will be available during the clinic on Nov. 23 and will be offered at no charge. FluMist* is a highly effective alternative to the flu shot. The FluMist* intranasal spray offers the same protection as the flu shot but does contain a weakened version of the live influenza virus. For this reason, it is only recommended for people who are between the ages of 5 and 49 with no underlying chronic health conditions. 
	The pneumonia vaccine will be also offered during the clinic on Nov. 23 at a cost of $20. The pneumonia vaccine is often recommended for people over the age of 65 or those with certain chronic medical conditions. Individuals should check with their physician on whether it is recommended for them.
	For more information on the flu clinic, call the Health Department at (573) 874-7355 (option 9 now has an updated message regarding current disease outbreak information and instructions) or go to www.GoColumbiaMo.com . 

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