Flu vaccines are now available at all local health departments in the Mount Rogers Health District.
“Getting a flu vaccination is an important step to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy this flu season,” said Breanne Forbes Hubbard, population health manager. “Preventing and reducing levels of influenza in our community will reduce symptoms that are similar to those of COVID-19. Reducing flu cases in our area will decrease outpatient illness, hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions, and helps protect our local and regional healthcare systems.”
COVID-19 and flu vaccines can be administered at the same time, and both vaccines are available at local health departments. Flu vaccines are billed to insurance for those who have insurance, and the health department offers free flu vaccine to adults and children without insurance. COVID-19 vaccines are free to everyone.
Flu season generally peaks in December and January, and it is important to be vaccinated before the flu begins to spread. Since it takes about two weeks for the flu vaccination to provide protection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting your flu shot before the end of October. Children 6 months through 8 years getting a flu vaccine for the first time, and those who have only previously gotten one dose of flu vaccine, should get two doses of vaccine. These doses must be given four weeks apart, so the first should be given in September to allow time for the second dose before the end of October.
These simple steps can help stop the spread of germs and help protect you from getting sick:
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
· Stay home when you are sick, which will help prevent others from catching your illness.
· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
· Clean your hands often.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Flu vaccine is available now at many private health care providers, free clinics and pharmacies, and at local health departments. The Mount Rogers Health District offers quadrivalent flu vaccines. Quadrivalent injectable flu vaccine is recommended for anyone age 6 months and older. It protects against four strains of the flu virus, two type A viruses and two type B viruses.
“Remember, flu vaccines cannot cause flu illness. The flu vaccine we offer is made with inactivated (killed) viruses,” says Forbes Hubbard.
Flu vaccines given with a needle (i.e., flu shots) are made with either inactivated (killed) viruses, or with only a single protein from the flu virus. The nasal spray vaccine contains live viruses that are attenuated (weakened) so that they will not cause illness.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call your local health department.
Bland County Health Department 276-688-3642
Bristol City Health Department 276-642-7345
Carroll County Health Department 276-730-3180
Galax City Health Department 276-236-6127
Grayson County Health Department 276-773-2961
Smyth County Health Department 276-781-7460
Washington County Health Department 276-676-5604
Wythe County Health Department 276-228-5507
