Well being officers are anticipating a extremely unhealthy flu season for the Northern Hemisphere, after monitoring the Australian flu season that spans from Might to September within the Southern Hemisphere.
In Ohio, it’s endorsed that folks get vaccinated by the tip of October, because the physique wants roughly two weeks to develop sufficient antibodies to guard towards the flu, based on a information launch from Crawford County Public Well being.
The well being division shall be have its annual drive-thru clinic 3 to six pm Tuesday, Oct. 11, on the well being division, 1520 Isaac Beal Highway. No appointment is required. Solely flu pictures shall be provided through the drive-thru clinic.
“The drive-thru clinic is ideal for those who have kids in automobile seats, individuals with mobility points, and even those who simply need to get the flu shot over with as shortly as potential,” Well being Commissioner Kate Siefert stated within the information launch .
Well being division presents three flu shot choices
The well being division presents three flu vaccine choices: Fluzone quadrivalent, Fluzone high-dose quadrivalent and Flublok. All are FDA authorized and designed to guard towards 4 totally different flu viruses anticipated by the World Well being Group: two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. Having 4 strains within the vaccine goals to offer broader safety towards circulating flu viruses. Not one of the flu vaccines being provided include reside flu viruses.
“Vaccination is especially essential for people who find themselves at excessive danger of growing extreme sickness or issues from influenza,” Siefert stated within the information launch. “Particular high-risk teams embody adults age 65 and older, individuals with diabetes, individuals with compromised immune methods, pregnant girls, younger kids, individuals who have most cancers, and other people with bronchial asthma and different power situations. We additionally need to remind individuals it is essential to acquire the flu vaccine even when you’ve got obtained the COVID-19 vaccine. Neither will defend you from the opposite — the flu vaccine is not going to defend you from COVID and the COVID vaccines is not going to defend you from the flu.”
Anybody ages 6 months and older can obtain a typical Fluzone quadrivalent vaccine. Folks ages 18 years and older can select between the usual Fluzone or the Flublok vaccines. For individuals ages 65 and older, it’s endorsed to obtain the Fluzone high-dose quadrivalent vaccine or the Flublok vaccine.
Flublok, a recombinant quadrivalent vaccine, accommodates thrice extra antigens than the usual Fluzone vaccine. Flublok doesn’t use the influenza virus or eggs in its manufacturing. As an alternative, it makes use of a extra fashionable expertise, used for a few years to make different vaccines authorized by the FDA, authorized to create flu vaccine in 2013. Flublok is FDA authorized for adults 18 years of age and older.
Fluzone high-dose quadrivalent vaccine is authorized just for ages 65 and older. It accommodates 4 occasions extra antigens, the a part of the vaccine that helps you physique construct up safety towards flu viruses, than normal Fluzone vaccines.
Different vaccines can be found by appointment throughout any of the well being division’s different clinics.
Weekly vaccination clinics provided
The well being division presents clinics at its workplace each Thursday. On the second and third Thursday of the month, night hours are provided, until 6 pm
The well being division will supply a vaccination clinic 9 to 11:30 am Oct. 19 at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
For one of many workplace clinics, individuals ought to name forward to schedule an appointment to make sure they won’t want to attend lengthy, based on the information launch. At any clinic, individuals ought to convey medical insurance playing cards. Most insurances will cowl the price of the flu shot.
Whereas the flu vaccine would not completely defend towards sickness, getting a seasonal flu vaccine yearly is the most effective safety towards extreme sickness and hospitalization.
For particulars, name Crawford County Public Well being at 419 562-5871. To maintain up with present occasions and public well being info, observe Crawford County Public Well being on Fb.
This text initially appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Discussion board: Well being division plans drive-thru flu vaccination clinic on Oct. 11