As the fall season quickly approaches, the Stone County Health Department (SCHD) is preparing people for another season also approaching the Ozarks, the flu season. October officially begins the influenza (flu) season. The first and most important step in protecting yourself and your family against the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year.  The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service(DHSS) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a flu vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older. Flu viruses are constantly changing therefore the flu vaccine is updated each season in order to provide protection against the flu viruses being spread. The 2011-12 flu vaccine will protect against the three main flu viruses circulating now, including the H1N1 flu virus. For seniors ages 65 and older, a “high dose” of the flu vaccine is available. The “ high dose” vaccine contains 4 times the antigen which elicits a better immune response to the flu virus. This year’s flu vaccine is being made in the same way as past flu vaccines and has proven to be safe and effective. The SCHD will begin seasonal flu shot clinics in late September.

 SCHD will offer walk-in clinics for adults and senior adults on the following dates.

• ^·          Wednesday, Sept. 28^th
  • ^o         Presbyterian Church in Crane from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
  • ^o         Kimberling City Senior Center from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• ^·          Wednesday, Oct. 5^th   SCHD Galena Office from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• ^·          Thursday, October 6^th   SCHD Branson West Office from 9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.

No appointment is necessary for these clinics. Please wear a short-sleeved- shirt and bring Medicare and Supplemental Insurance cards. The fee for non-Medicare covered individuals is $20.00. Vaccine for adults and seniors will be available in injectable and intradermal form.

 Flu vaccinations are currently available, by appointment, at both Stone County Health Department locations for children ages 6 months to 18 years old and the general public. SCHD does not have flu vaccine for pregnant women; pregnant women must see their doctor to be vaccinated against the flu. The vaccine for children will be available in nasal spray or injectable form.  MO HealthNet for children’s flu vaccinations will be accepted.

 It is important for everyone to help prevent the spread of the flu by following proven disease prevention methods such as good hand washing (wash hands under running water with soap, rubbing hands together for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer), keep hands out of your face, keep a distance from others who are sick, clean surfaces regularly, and stay home when sick until fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of medication.

 For more information about flu vaccinations or clinic schedule, visit our website at www.stonecountyhealthdepartment.com or call the Galena office at 357-6134; Branson West office at 272-0050.

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