Grinnell Regional Public Health will again offer
public vaccination clinics at locations throughout the county for the seasonal
influenza vaccine.
The upcoming season's flu vaccine will protect against the influenza
viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season. This
includes an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and two
influenza B viruses.
“GRMC has received the majority of vaccine and no
shortages or delays are anticipated,” says Patty Hinrichs, director of Grinnell
Regional Public Health. “We strongly encourage everyone who can have the
vaccine to receive this dose of prevention. Though it is not possible to
predict how and when the influenza season will unfold, you can protect yourself
by having a vaccination and following good healthy habits to stop the spread of
germs. Equally important, you help prevent the spread of influenza to individuals
who could become severely ill from the virus but can’t receive the vaccine.”
According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the timing of flu is
very unpredictable and can vary from season to season. Flu activity most
commonly peaks in the United States in January or February. However, seasonal
flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as
May. More information is available at www.flu.gov.
CDC recommends that people get vaccinated against flu
soon after vaccine becomes available. The vaccine takes about two weeks after administration
for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu.
The high-dose for individuals over 65 will be
available again.
Schedule of Public Health Influenza Vaccination Sites
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2 to 5:30 p.m., GARC, 1500 Penrose
Thursday, Oct. 1, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Mayflower
Home-Carmen Center
Monday, Oct. 12, 3:30 to 6 p.m., BGM
School
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 10 to 11 a.m., Seeland Park-Social
Center
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 3:30 to 6 p.m., Grinnell High School
Monday, Oct. 19, 3:30 to 6 p.m., Montezuma School
Monday, Oct. 26, 3:30 to 6 p.m., Grinnell Middle
School
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Brookside South
By appointment only at Grinnell Regional Public
Health:
Monday, Nov. 2, 9 to 11 a.m.,
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2 to 4 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 16, 9 to11 a.m.
“Grinnell Regional Public Health has shifted to
electronic medical records and will be entering data into the system during the
influenza vaccine clinics. This will allow individuals who have been seen at
GRMC as a patient to have an electronic record of their vaccination,” Hinrichs
says.
CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for
everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in
protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu
viruses, the seasonal influenza vaccine is designed to protect against the top
four influenza viruses that research indicates will cause the most illness
during the flu season.
Children aged 6 months through 8 years who need two
doses of vaccine should receive the first dose as soon as possible to allow
time to get the second dose before the start of flu season. The two doses
should be given at least 4 weeks apart.
Prevention Tips
1.
Clean your hands with soap and water and
alcohol-based cleaner if water is not available.
2.
Avoid close contact. When you are sick, keep
your distance from others.
3.
Stay home when you are sick
4.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or
sneezing
5.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
6.
Practice other good health habits like clean and
disinfect surfaces frequently, get plenty of sleep, be physically active,
manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
For more information, talk to your primary care
provider or call Grinnell Regional Public Health at 641-236-2385.
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