Henderson Health Care (HHC) has begun administering the seasonal flu vaccine at the Henderson and Sutton Family Practice clinics.
The CDC recommends that people get their flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available in their communities. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection. In the meantime, you are still at risk for getting the flu, which is why you are encouraged to get vaccinated early in the fall, before the flu season really gets underway.
The 2012-2013 flu vaccine will protect against three strains of the flu which are predicted to cause the most illness during the upcoming flu season. The (A) H3N2 and B antigens have been combined with the H1N1antigen to form this year’s new flu vaccine.
Both the flu shot and the flu mist are being offered at HHC. The shot is approved for use among people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people and those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease.
The flu mist, a nasal spray, was approved by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in 2003. It is approved for use among “healthy†people aged 2-49 who are not pregnant.
The flu shot and nasal spray vaccines are available at the HHC clinics, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. For your convenience, no appointment is necessary. The cost is $25 unless you are covered by Medicare.
