[Press Release] : MEDIA ADVISORY: Flu Vaccine Availability from Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services

[Press Releases]

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: Geni Alexander, PIO
573-819-2813
gaalexan at gocolumbiamo.com

Flu Vaccine Availability from Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services

COLUMBIA, MO (September 30, 2011) -  

PUBLIC HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES TO BEGIN OFFERING FLU VACCINE MONDAY

 

(COLUMBIA, MO) - The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services will begin offering flu vaccine to anyone age 6 months and older on Monday, October 3rd, at our clinic, located at 1005 West Worley. Flu vaccine will be available Monday - Friday from 8 am - 4:30 pm. No appointment is needed; walk-ins are welcome.

 

This year, thanks to a generous $122,341 grant from the David B. Lichtenstein Foundation, a Columbia-based philanthropic organization, we will offer free seasonal flu vaccine to all children age 6 months - 18 years. For adults age 19 and older, cost of the injectable vaccine is $25; FluMist® is $30. FluMist® can be given to healthy non-pregnant people age 2-49 years. We can bill Medicaid, Medicare Part B, Aetna and Humana insurance plans. Our clinic accepts cash, check and debit/credit cards. Receipts can be given upon request.

 

The grant will also allow public health nurses to conduct flu clinics in participating Boone County elementary schools this fall. The school-based clinics will begin in mid-October; exact dates and times will be announced at a later date. Parents who have questions about their school's participation should contact their school nurse.

 

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) in 2009, more than 1,300 Missourians died from the flu and/or pneumonia. "Getting a flu vaccine every year is your best protection from the flu", said Stephanie Browning, Public Health and Human Services Director. "We encourage anyone over the age of 6 months to be vaccinated, especially if you have chronic medical conditions, are over the age of 65 or will spend time around a newborn during flu season."

 

Over a 31-year period, flu-associated deaths nationwide have ranged from about 3,000 to 49,000 each year. For more information on the flu, please visit www.cdc.gov/flu.


 -30- 

______________________________________________________

You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of Columbia’s Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.
______________________________________________________

If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and follow the instructions provided. 

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Web_Mail/
______________________________________________________

Archived press releases can be viewed online at:
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/
______________________________________________________

If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and follow the instructions provided. 

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Web_Mail/