Seasonal Flu Vaccine Available to Community
Allen County Public Health announces its community seasonal flu shot clinic schedule for everyone – 6 months of age and older. 

The vaccine will be available beginning Monday, Sept. 10, at  Allen County Public Health:

• Mondays - Wednesdays – Fridays: 8-9 a.m. and 3-4 a.m. or by appointment. Appointments can be made by visiting our website or by phone.

In addition, off-site clinics will be held on:
• Thursday, Sept. 27, from 9-11 a.m.  at Bluffton Senior Citizens Center

This year, the flu vaccine is being recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older.   

All Clinics are contingent upon vaccine supply availability.

Cost of a flu shot is $25 cash or check. Medicare/Medicaid, Anthem, and Med Mutual insurances are also accepted. It is important for everyone to bring their insurance cards with them. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.

To help keep the clinic running smoothly and effectively, the Health Department is asking participants to please come dressed in short sleeves or other clothing that makes the upper arm easily accessible.

Health Commissioner Kathy Luhn, MS, MCHES, said  “Protect yourself and those around you. Don’t spread the flu, get vaccinated!  Take action to stay healthy.” 

In Ohio, the traditional flu season is considered to be from November through April, with the peak months being January and February. This past season, hospitalizations for influenza have continued through the summer months.

Vaccine will begin to provide protection within about two weeks. 

The risk of contracting the flu can be minimized through annual vaccination, limiting your contact with other people who are sick with the flu, avoiding crowds during outbreaks, and by frequent and thorough hand washing.

Seasonal Flu Shot Background:
o People of any age can get the flu. Most people are ill and may miss work or school for a few days, but some get much sicker and need to be hospitalized from complications such as pneumonia.  Influenza causes nearly 36,000 deaths each year, mostly among the elderly. Typical influenza illness has an abrupt onset of fever, extreme fatigue, a headache, sore muscles, a nonproductive and often severe cough, and a sore throat.

o The CDC suggests flu shots for everyone 6 months of age and older who wish to reduce their risk of illness with influenza. Specific populations designated to receive the flu vaccine are:
• People who are at high risk of developing serious complications like pneumonia if they get sick with the flu

• This includes:
• People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
• Pregnant women.
• People 65 years and older.
• People who live with or care for others who are high risk of developing serious complications
• This includes household contacts and caregivers of people with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.

Persons who should NOT get the flu shot include those:
• Having known severe reactions to eggs,
• Who have had a reaction to a previous flu shot, or
• Those having a history of Guillain-Barre’ Syndrome (GBS).

Check with your family physician if you have any questions about whether or not you should get a flu shot. Persons with acute illness and fever should wait until symptoms have abated. 

Because influenza vaccine contains only non-infectious (inactivated) virus, the flu shot cannot cause the flu.  Side effects from the flu shot include soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, fever, and muscle aches.  If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days.