[Press Release] : Press Release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2004

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

Columbia/Boone County Health Department to hold high-risk flu shot clinic 

The Columbia/Boone County Health Department will hold a high-risk flu shot clinic on Thursday, Nov. 4, starting at 9 a.m. The Health Department currently has 1,500 doses of flu vaccine. The clinic will last on that day until all of the current supply of flu vaccine has been administered. The vaccine will be available for high-risk individuals only, per recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The flu vaccine shortage announced earlier this month prompted the CDC to prioritize the flu vaccine supply and develop a plan for redistribution of the vaccine that had not yet been shipped. Residents should refer to the following high-risk categories defined by the CDC to determine whether they qualify for a flu shot this year:

* Children ages 6-23 months
* Adults age 65 years and older
* Persons ages 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 age less than 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.  

The pneumonia vaccine will be also offered during the clinic on Nov. 4 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.

The Health Department has been working in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, local hospitals, pharmacies, nursing homes and private health care providers in order to asses the vaccine availability in this area. MU Health Care Systems provided the Health Department with a generous donation of flu vaccine. Because of this donation, the Health Department is able to provide the local area nursing homes with enough vaccine for their high-risk residents. The goal of all health care providers is to make sure those who are most at risk for flu complications will be vaccinated.  

FluMist* an Alternative for Some Residents
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. FluMist* will not be available during the clinic on Nov. 4. The Health Department expects to receive a shipment of FluMist* within the next few weeks for high-risk candidates that qualify according to the CDC guidelines. 

For more information on the flu clinic, call the Health Department at 573-874-7355 or www.GoColumbiaMo.com.

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