[Press Release] : Health Department giving away free Flu Mist

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Geni Alexander, Public Information Specialist - (573) 874-7632
or (573) 268-6265 or gaalexan at GoColumbiaMo.com 

Health Department giving away free Flu Mist

COLUMBIA, MO (December 18, 2008) - The Columbia/Boone County Department
of Public Health and Human Services received 1,500 doses of Flu Mist and
is now offering it FREE to Boone County residents. Healthy, non-pregnant
persons ages 2-49 are eligible to receive the Flu Mist. The health
department recommends flu vaccinations now, before the height of flu
season hits, typically in February. It takes up to two weeks for
protection to develop after vaccination and protection lasts up to a
year. Flu Mist is sprayed into the nostrils and contains a live, but
weakened, flu virus. Because flu viruses change each year, annual
vaccinations are required for full protection. 

While the health department recommends vaccinations for all citizens,
parents are especially urged to vaccinate their children. Each year over
20,000 children under age 5 are hospitalized due to the flu. Nearly 100
children die in the United States from influenza and its complications
every year. According to the CDC, a vaccinated child has 70 to 90
percent less risk of having the flu than an unvaccinated child. 

The health department received the vaccine from NACCHO (National
Association of City and County Health Officials) after Flu Mist
manufacturer MedImmune donated up to one million doses of Flu Mist to
NACCHO. 

The FREE vaccine is offered Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at
the health department clinic, located at 1005 West Worley in Columbia.
The clinic will be closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day, but will
be open all day on Christmas Eve and on Friday, Dec. 26. For more
information, please contact the health department at (573) 874-7355 or
visit www.GoColumbiaMo.com ( http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/ )and follow
links to the health department.

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