[Press Release] : press release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Columbia/Boone County Health Department - (573) 874-7355

Columbia/Boone County Health Department to hold additional high-risk flu clinic Wednesday, Dec. 1
COLUMBIA, MO (November 29, 2004) -- The Columbia/Boone County Health Department currently has approximately 600 doses of injectable flu vaccine and a plentiful supply the intranasal flu vaccine FluMist*. A clinic will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 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 due to the flu vaccine shortage this year:
* 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 Dec. 1 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 Dec. 1 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 the latest updates on flu vaccine availability, call the Health Department at (573) 874-7355 (select option 9) or go to www.GoColumbiaMo.com. 

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