[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Flu Vaccination Recommended Before Holiday Break

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Geni Alexander, PIO
573-874-7632 or 573-819-2813

Flu Vaccination Recommended Before Holiday Break

COLUMBIA, MO (December 12, 2011) - Not Too Late for a Flu Vaccine

Vaccination Now Means Protection Over the Holiday Break

 

The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services has already given 8300 flu vaccinations this season, including nearly 6300 to kids, who received the vaccine FREE thanks to a generous grant from the David B. Lichtenstein Foundation. Health officials know that people who are vaccinated are less likely to get the flu, which is why the health department recommends that everyone over 6 months old get the flu vaccine every year. It can take approximately two weeks after vaccination for the body to develop protection, making now a great time to be vaccinated before families start traveling (and spreading germs) over holiday break.

 

Flu vaccine is available Monday - Friday from 8 am - 4:30 pm at the health department clinic, located at 1005 West Worley in Columbia. No appointment is needed. Children age 18 and under can get the flu shot or FluMist® FREE of charge. For adults age 19 and older, the flu shot is available for $25. FluMist® is available for $30. FluMist is approved for healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49 who are not pregnant. Our department can bill Medicaid, Medicare Part B, Aetna and Humana insurance plans. Receipts are available upon request.

 

In addition to getting the flu vaccine every year, the health department recommends these healthy practices:  

*     Avoid close contact with people who are sick

*     Stay home from school or work when you are sick

*     Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze (with your elbow or a tissue, NOT with your hand!)

*     Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

 

For more information on the flu, please visit www.gocolumbiamo.com and follow links to the department's flu page.


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