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September 26 , 2008

Get Ready For Flu Season

CDHD OFFERS WALK-IN FLU CLINICS

Flu season will soon be upon us and the Central District Health Department will begin offering adult flu vaccinations on a walk-in basis at all three of its office beginning in early October.

NOTE: There is currently no children’s flu vaccine available. We expect delivery of the children’s vaccine by mid-October. Check with the Flu Hotline at 321-2222 for the most current information or vist CDHD website.

Boise Flu Clinics

The Boise office will hold a special flu-only clinic the week of October 6 – 10 in the Immunizations lobby, allowing any adult wanting a flu shot to walk in:

• 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday,
  and 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday.

After that flu shots will be available on a walk-in basis during regular clinic hours – Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Fridays 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Mountain Home Flu Clinics

The Mountain Home office of the Central District Health Department will begin offering walk-in adult flu vaccinations every Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. beginning October 7th.

McCall Flu Clinics

• Thursday October 2nd 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Thursday October 9th 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.,
• Tuesday October 14th 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday October 15th 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Thursday October 23rd 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Thursday October 30th 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

NOTE: The Central District Health Department offices are closed on all state holidays and every third Thursday of the month for staff meetings.

Boise County Clinics

Flu shots will be offered during regular scheduled clinics in Boise County.

• Crouch Community Church - Fellowship Hall
  8 One Way Lane
  Clinics are held on the second Wednesday of odd months.
  (January, March, May, July, September and November) 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Horseshoe Bend Community Health - Community Room
  102 Quinn St.
  Clinics are held on the first Tuesday of even months.
  (February, April, June, August, October and December) 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Boise Basin Library - Community Room
  411 Montgomery St., Idaho City
  Clinics will be held on the third Tuesday of odd months.
  (January, March, May, July, September and November) 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Cost of Flu Vaccine

The cost of the regular influenza vaccination for individuals 19 years of age and older is $28. The FluMist will cost $36. When children’s flu vaccine becomes available the administration fee will be $14.34. Payment is expected at time of service.

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended by Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications.

People who should get vaccinated each year are:

• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
1. Health care workers
2. Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
3. Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Use of the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine

Vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is always an option for healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

When Should People Be Vaccinated?

Even though you can get vaccinated early in October, the vaccine will continue to be available into December, January and beyond. The flu shot will still be effective even if you get it later because influenza season generally peaks in our area in February.

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated

There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. These include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
• People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine.
• Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group), and
• People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)

Vaccine Effectiveness

The ability of flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation. Testing has shown that both the flu shot and the nasal-spray vaccine are effective at preventing the flu.

Information on flu vaccine and clinics will also be posted to the CDHD website and will be available on the CDHD Flu Hotline 321-2222.