[Press Release] : Flu Vaccination Reminders for Parents

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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 


Flu Vaccination Reminders for Parents 
COLUMBIA, MO (November 26, 2008) - The Columbia/Boone County Department
of Public Health and Human Services has provided Boone County residents
with nearly 6000 flu vaccinations this season. While a vast majority of
the population only requires one dose, the health department reminds
parents that:

Children 6 months up to 9 years of age getting a flu vaccine for the
first time will need two doses of vaccine the first year they are
vaccinated. 
Children requiring a second dose can receive it 28 or more days after
the first dose. The first dose "primes" the immune system; the second
dose provides immune protection. Children who only get one dose but who
need two doses can have reduced or no protection from a single dose of
flu vaccine. 

In addition, protection does not usually begin until two weeks after
vaccination. The health department urges all residents to get vaccinated
now to ensure full protection before the onset of flu season, usually in
January or February. Children 6 months up to 9 years of age who are
receiving the vaccine for the first time are not fully-protected until
two weeks after their second dose. 

The health department continues to offer vaccinations on a walk-in
basis:

Monday-Friday from 8 am-4:30 pm at the health department clinic located
at 1005 West Worley. Flu vaccine is available for $20 and pneumonia
vaccination is available for citizens age 65 and over for $40. The
health department accepts cash, check or credit cards. Medicaid and
Medicare clients will receive the vaccinations at no charge. 
The health department clinic will be closed on Thanksgiving Day but
open on Friday, November 28th. 

For faster service, people can fill out the required consent forms
prior to arrival. To download the forms, visit www.GoColumbiaMo.com and
follow links to the health department’s flu page. 

Information from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
(DHSS) reports that in the United States, influenza is associated with
more than 36,000 deaths and over 200,000 hospitalizations annually.
According to DHSS, during the 2007-08 flu season, 2,614 deaths in
Missouri involved flu and pneumonia. 

-30-



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