2016-2017 Seasonal Influenza Season

Grinnell Regional Public Health will 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. GRMC will offer a quadrivalent flu vaccine, designed to protect against four different flu viruses; two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. The high-dose for individuals over 65 will be available as a trivalent vaccine. Vaccines will be injectable and the nasal spray will not be available due to effectiveness concerns with this year’s blend by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted this summer that live attenuated influenza vaccine, also known as the “nasal spray” flu vaccine, should not be used during the 2016-2017 flu season.

“The more people who get vaccinated, the more people will be protected from flu, including older people, very young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions who are more vulnerable to serious flu complications,” 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. Supply should be adequate for the fall and winter vaccination clinics.

Schedule of Public Health Influenza Vaccination Sites

Thursday, Sept. 29, 2 to 5:30 p.m. GARC, 1500 Penrose St, Grinnell

Monday, Oct. 3, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Mayflower Community, Carmen Center

Monday, Oct. 3, 3:30 to 6 p.m. BGM School - Cafeteria, Brooklyn

Thursday, Oct. 6, 10 to 11 a.m. Seeland Park - Social Center, Grinnell

Tuesday, Oct. 11, 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. Brookside South, Grinnell

Monday, Oct. 17, 3:30 to 6 p.m. Grinnell Middle School

Thursday, Oct. 27, 3:30 to 6 p.m. Montezuma School - South Gym, Montezuma

Monday, Oct. 31, 3:30 to 6 p.m. Grinnell High School

By appointment only at Grinnell Regional Public Health Office, 306 Fourth Ave.

Monday, Nov. 9, 9 to 11 a.m.

Thursday, Nov. 14, 9 to 11 a.m.        

Monday, Nov. 21, 2 to 4 p.m.

“Grinnell Regional Public Health uses 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 their vaccination in their medical record,” 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 eight 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 four weeks apart.

For more information, talk to your primary care provider or call Grinnell Regional Public Health at 641-236-2385 or go to http://www.grmc.us/services/public-health.

Prevention Tips

In addition to receiving a vaccination, you can take everyday preventive steps.

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.