[Press Release] : press release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2005

CONTACT: Heather Baer
         (573) 874-7632 

Health Department to hold flu clinic for general public Wednesday, Nov. 9
								
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - The Columbia-Boone County Health Department will offer flu vaccinations on Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Vaccinations will be given in the Community Training Room at the health department, 1005 W. Worley Street.   The health department is no longer restricting vaccine supply to individuals considered to be at high risk for complications from the flu. The flu clinic will be open to the general public.
	Cost for the flu vaccine will be $15, payable by cash or check only. Medicaid and Medicare are accepted. The health department is unable to bill private insurance.  
	The health department will continue scheduling flu immunization clinics as vaccine supply is received throughout the flu season. People are also encouraged to check with their health care provider for vaccine availability and clinics being held in the community.
	FluMist* will also be available on Nov. 9 from 1-6 p.m. to all medically eligible people for a cost of $25. FluMist* is administered similarly to a nasal spray and does 
contain a weakened version of the live flu virus. FluMist* has been approved for healthy children and adults between 5 and 49 years of age.  
	Because FluMist* does contain a weakened version of a live flu virus, the following people are not medically eligible to receive FluMist*:
*	adults over 50 years of age and children under 5 years of age
*	people who have long-term health problems, including heart, kidney, lung, 	
	anemia and metabolic disease (such as diabetes)
*	people who have asthma
*	people who have blood disorders
*	people with a weakened immune system due to disease or long-term treatment
*	children or adolescents on long-term aspirin therapy
*	pregnant women
*	anyone with a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome or active neurological disease
*	anyone who has had a serious allergic reaction to eggs or a previous dose of 	
	influenza vaccine
 	The health department would like to remind residents that preventing the spread of the flu is very important and can be done by taking simple actions that include:
*	Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
*	Stay home from school or work when you are sick.
*	Cover you mouth and nose when you are coughing or sneezing.
*	If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper arm, not your 	
	hands.
*	Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap 	
	and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
*	Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
	Pneumonia vaccine is also available through the health department year-round at a cost of $25. People should check with their physician to determine if they should consider getting this immunization. For updated information on upcoming flu vaccination clinics call the health information hotline at (573) 874-7355 and press option 9. 

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